 Natural gas can play a critical role in decarbonizing the global energy system. Replacing coal burning power plants with natural gas is a no-brainer. It's far cleaner than coal and it's far less damaging to the atmosphere. The next step in the decarbonization process is to replace natural gas with renewables. During this transition, natural gas can provide a backup for when the wind is not blowing and the sun is not shining. At Stanford, the Natural Gas Initiative engages a community of scholars, private industry and government agencies to address some of the problems that are associated with this abundant global resource. Right now, there's tremendous controversy about drilling and fracking. If wells are not drilled properly, they can leak and cause contamination. Earthquakes are sometimes triggered. How do we distribute natural gas and prevent methane leakage? Methane is a very potent greenhouse gas. In the developing world, where energy access and energy poverty are serious problems, people spend as much as six hours a day collecting dung and sticks to use for cooking and heating. Natural gas and natural gas liquids like propane can provide fuel in rural villages. In the Natural Gas Initiative, we're studying all of these issues so as we go into the future, we have a steady and reliable supply of energy that becomes ever cleaner for people around the world.