Today I watched a compelling documentary GASLAND which shook me up pretty badly. It's about drilling for natural gas, a process called fracking.
From the GASLAND website:
It also enables those hazardous chemicals used in the fracking process (around 80,000 pounds worth on average) to leach into nearby groundwater, streams, wells, and the air. Upwards of 70% remain. Permanently.
Watch the full episode. See more NOW on PBS.
We're not safe in Canada. Fracking has been going on in Alberta for years and is pretty widespread. There's an interesting article HERE and it talks about an Erin Brockovich type crusader by the name of Jessica Ernst. Canada has no national water policy (are you listening, Mr. Harper?) and now there's talk about developing a huge shale gas field along the Saint Lawrence River between Montreal and Quebec City.Why can't we use wisdom and integrity and practice good stewardship for this earth we all call home? It's the only one we have. If our water is gone, so are we.
Do yourself a favour and look for this documentary. We can't afford to be complacent.
9 comments:
So glad to hear you're better.
Fracking is fracking awful.
Ahem.(blush). I cringe to make a political statement in someone's comment section, but fracking is an important issue. Elizabeth May (Green Party)is very much against the process.
I know, Francie, but I'm okay with it. We need to press Harper on this issue. I'm not sure why it hasn't had more press.
Fracking, and the waste from fracking frightens me. I'm surrounded by cancer, it seems like, and we are poisoning ourselves.
Collywobbles sound like a very interesting symptom. Much better than chills and and coughing and the like. Collywobbles. Sounds pleasant. Almost.
Pennsylvania's new governor, Tom Corbett, has already been petitioned to stop fracking in that state. I hope he listens.
I heard something on our local radio station that there was a last minute reprieve on fracking along the Saint Lawrence. I hope I heard right. Off to investigate.
I'm new here. *waves* Nice to meet you. :)
Sorry you've been so sick.
Fracking IS fracking bad news.
And I've never heard the term collywobble...but it's my new favorite word. :)
~Lola
Hi Lola, and welcome!
In and around my hometown they've made a fairly sizable dicovery of oil and gas in a deep shale formation. I did some research on the local newspaper editor's facebook page about a small quake/ground shaking they had in the fall that some speculated was actually a result of frackig. Knowing the area and the people, I'm sure they are just taking the money and whatever line the oil companies are giving them.
Rachel, you need to investigate further and you need to put pressure on your local politicians to keep your water, and by extension the people in the area, safe. This fracking is dangerous and once damage is done, it's irreversible. Good luck!
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