Hydraulic Fracturing or Fracking:

Hydraulic fracturing or fracking is an efficient though controversial method of

obtaining natural gas and oil involving use a highly pressurised liquid mixture to
shatter shale rocks, releasing the hydrocarbons inside. Natural gas is an
appealing cleaner alternative to other fossil fuels and with the recent advances
in technology, companies are massively expanding shale gas extraction.
However, the vast majority of the community is far from pleased at the
revolution which has caused serious environmental issues.
Hydraulic fracturing unlocks reserves of natural gas previously considered
inaccessible, enough for 120 years of production. Generating over 300,000
barrels a day, the fracking method provides an abundant supply of gas
simultaneously creating tens of thousands of jobs and fuelling economies. Gas
companies claim that the expansion of fracking will lower gas bills, provide clean
energy and even energy independence. If fracking is really so beneficial why is
the community against it?
The fluid mixture used to shatter shale rocks in the fracturing process consists of
water, sand and over 600 chemicals including arsenic, lead, uranium,
formaldehyde, benzene and ethylene glycol, well known toxins and carcinogens.
During the fracturing process, these chemicals can leach out and contaminate
neighbouring aquifers, porous rock reservoirs of drinkable groundwater. Over a
thousand cases of water contamination in proximity to gas drilling sites have
been reported and ingestion of the contaminated water has even caused severe
organ damage. Furthermore, the operating of a single well requires up to 20
million litres of water and a further amount each time the well needs to be
refactured. Fracking is severely depleting scarce water supplies in drought
stricken areas of the U.S and water consumed in the fracking process is
permanently lost; half the fracking fluid remains in the well and what is
recovered can only be disposed or reused in other fracking operations.
Whether fracking actually provides cleaner energy has also been strongly
debated. Due its low carbon content, burning natural gas only produces half the
greenhouse emissions of coal. However, each gas drilling operation demands up
to 400 tanker trucks to transport water and the use of heavy machinery run on
diesel. Data from wells in Pennsylvania show that in 2010-2012, 7% of sites had
their structural integrity compromised causing natural gas to leak into the
atmosphere. Natural gas is primarily composed of methane, a volatile gas which
produces a greenhouse effect 21 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. A
study by Climate Central published in May, 2013 simulated the impact of
methane leaks on reducing greenhouse emissions. Given the current leak rates,
it could be decades until the conversion from coal to gas has a significant impact
on reducing emissions.
What is being done about Fracking?
Individuals across the globe are working together to oppose fracking especially
those living in proximity to drilling sites. Through social media, activists have

been able spread the message of the dangers of fracking to all corners of the
world as well as organising petitions and anti-fracking campaigns. In 2010, Josh
Fox, a humble countryside resident in Pennsylvania filmed and directed
Gasland, a two hour documentary recording people affected first hand by
nearby gas wells. The documentary, which went on to win numerous prestigious
awards paved the way for the expansion of anti-fracking activism onto national
and international levels. Since its publication, Fox has released a sequel titled
Gasland Part II which premiered in May, 2013 at the New York City film festival
and organized two anti-fracking websites dedicated to the film with help from his
team. The websites which have over a million followers worldwide regularly
updates supporters on worldwide fracking with a weekly video as well as allowing
them to connect with local organisations, share personal stories and take actions
together. The influence of individuals on the rapid development of anti-fracking
activism has already produced numerous moratoriums (suspensions) of fracking
projects across countries such as Australia, France and Canada. Even the United
States, a nation heavily dependent on shale gas for economic growth has
enforced bans in certain areas after being inundated with complaints.
Ever since anti-fracking movements were globalised (largely thanks to Foxs
documentary), hundreds of community based groups have been established to
take action against shale gas extraction while NGOs began campaigns of their
own. Greenpeace, with the support of over 45 national environmental and
drinking water organisations continues to spread the message of anti-fracking
through demonstrations and its volunteers. The demonstrations not only disrupt
gas drilling operations, but attract attention from social media where the
message of anti-fracking is further expanded. In areas where social activism
poses a significant threat to shale gas development, well organised community
have been able to thwart drilling operations. The Canadian government in 2011
for example, signalled its intentions to additionally restrict or even permanently
prohibit fracking operations after significant protesting and environmental
complaints from community based groups.
In Control Risks 2012 report on the Global Anti-Fracking movement, countries
with large shale gas reserves had their government approaches towards shale
gas development ranked from supportive to hostile. Only four nations were
classed in the hostile category (Government directly or indirectly opposes
unconventional gas development. In addition to moratoriums and bans, policy
aims to discourage unconventional gas development through unfavourable tax
regimes, licence cancellations and strict environmental restrictions). In 2011,
the French government imposed an indefinite ban on any shale gas extraction
which was reiterated in 2012 with the president declaring France will maintain a
ban on fracking until there is proof that shale gas exploration wont harm the
environment. Frances example set the scene for proximate European countries
Bulgaria, Romania and the Czech Republic to shortly follow in the movement
against shale gas.
Recommendations and Conclusion:

The simplest way on paper to solve the environmental hazards of fracking is to of

course prohibit the procedure altogether but this is a lot more difficult than on
may think. This is largely due to the worlds dependence on fossil fuels and thus
the influence of petroleum and natural gas companies. Shale gas is clearly not
the solution to problems such as global warming, depleting reserves of
hydrocarbons and air pollution. In order to reduce fracking, reliance on fossil
fuels needs to be dealt with firsthand. The best way to do this is the mass
implementation and/or replacement of electricity generators based on renewable
energy sources. Hydroelectric generators are by far the most reliable renewable
energy source and since 44% of the worlds population resides within 150km of
the ocean, billions would benefit from a large scale conversion to hydroelectricity.
The turbines also be constructed anywhere in the ocean that is close to the city,
away from coral reefs or beaches, decreasing the likelihood of affecting marine
ecosystems or tourists. Though hydroelectricity is an excellent solution, by no
means is it cheap. A large scale switch will require the support of the community
as a whole to proceed. While individuals and groups are doing an excellent job in
the push for renewable energy, in the end, its the government with the
resources to replace fossil fuels with a golden era of renewable energy.

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