The fracking revolution in the US has dramatically expanded the supply of unconventional natural gas and lowered energy prices around the world. Because burning natural gas for energy emits less CO2 than burning other fossil fuels, including coal, many analysts have assumed that surging shale gas usage would also be a boon for curbing climate change. Alas, a study published this week in the journal Nature shows that isn't necessarily true. Scientists in the US, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Australia synthesized the results of several independent forecasts of global economic growth, energy use, and climate through 2050. None of the forecasts showed the shale boom actually lowering greenhouse gas emissions, according to the findings published in Nature.