Every year billions of dollars "go up in smoke" as oil and gas companies burn off unwanted natural gas.<br /><br />The controversial practice, called gas flaring, reduces the chance of the gas exploding. But it produces significant greenhouse-gas emissions at a time of growing concern over climate warming.<br /><br />The World Bank estimates that about $30bn worth of gas is burned off every year, which is equivalent to 30 per cent of the European Union's annual gas consumption.<br /><br />The world's largest gas-flaring operations are in the Niger Delta, where communities are complaining of chronic health problems and pollution.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Yvonne Ndege reports.<br /><br />[July 4, 2010]
