What the Frack?
Fracking is a water-intensive process that poses numerous risks to Canada’s groundwater and surface water supplies. Without strong regulation, there is a high risk that water levels will be depleted at an unsustainable pace. Accessing shale rock uses a lot of energy and requires that wells be dug past the fresh water zone. Any cracks or damage to the protective barrier between the well wall and the protective casing risks water contamination – in fact, several incidents of contaminated domestic or drinking water wells have already been reported in the United States. There is currently no standardized procedure for the disposal of wastewater from this practice. This water is high in mineral and salt content, and also contains traces of chemicals and heavy metal particulates. As such, it must be dealt with properly.
Government-led investigations into the risks of this process are needed NOW, not after the industry has reached its full momentum. Up until this point, no Canadian federal or provincial regulators have taken a vocal stance on this issue. In fact, the National Energy Board has tended to downplay potential environmental impacts. The Canadian federal and provincial governments have a bad record of giving environmental assessment responsibilities for energy projects to industry regulators, rather than to environmental agencies. It is imperative that this doesn’t happen where shale gas production is concerned.
Fracking News and Resources:
Fracking, shale gas and cancer: Health risks at every step, An Ounce, Winter 2012
Ohioans Demand Fracking Moratorium at Ohio Statehouse Rally, Janury 10, 2012
Fracking likely linked to groundwater pollution in U.S. CBC News, December 8, 2011
Fracking operations increase risk of drinking water contamination: new study, Media Release, May 11, 2011
Fracking, shale gas and health: A case for precaution, An Ounce, Summer 2011
Fracture Lines: Will Canada’s water be protected in the shale gas rush?, Munk School of Global Affairs, October 2010
Media monitoring and more on Fracking and Shale Gas from Johanne Dion
Photo: Jim Blecha
Ottawa’s new anti-terrorism strategy lists eco-extremists as threats
After vowing to take on radical environmentalists determined to stop the Northern Gateway pipeline, the Harper government has released a new anti-terrorism strategy that targets eco-extremists as threats.
With his announcement this week, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews has increased the concern among environmentalists that Ottawa regards them as implacable adversaries to be monitored and battled, rather than well-meaning advocates to be consulted.
“This is just one more step in their attempt to marginalize the environmental movement and to quiet its voice,” John Bennett, executive director of Sierra Club Canada, said Friday. “It’s an indirect suggestion that somehow environmentalism is attached to terrorism and that’s just wrong.”... Read more »
Link to source site:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/shareTweet/article2334975/?utm_camp... - Alberta Tar Sands and Mackenzie River Delta
- Climate Change
- Ecosystems
- Forests
- Forests and Climate Change
- Alberta Tar Sands Pipelines
- Energy Onslaught
- Forests and Biodiversity
- Nuclear Phaseout
- Wilderness and Species Conservation
- Oceans
- Toxics
- Trade and Environment
- Government
- Radioactive Waste
- Nuclear-Free Canada
- Endangered Species
- Atmosphere & Energy
- Health & Environment
- Transition to Sustainable Economy
Are Canadian environmentalists a terrorist threat?
In a report released yesterday outlining the federal government’s new counter-terrorism strategy, Public Safety Canada listed environmentalists among other “issue-based domestic extremists” that could pose a threat to Canadians.
Responding to the report, Sierra Club Canada director John Bennett said this portrayal is aligned with officials’ attempts to silence environmental groups opposed to major energy projects like the Northern Gateway pipeline.
“We are one of the few segments of Canadian society that has continually stood up to the present Conservative government and been able to be effective at raising issues," said Bennett.... Read more »
Link to source site:
http://www.vancouverobserver.com/sustainability/2012/02/10/are-canadian-environm... Avoiding fracking earthquakes: expensive venture
(Reuters) - With mounting evidence linking hundreds of small earthquakes from Oklahoma to Ohio to the energy industry's growing use of fracking technology, scientists say there is one way to minimize risks of even minor temblors.
Only, it costs about $10 million a pop.
A thorough seismic survey to assess tracts of rock below where oil and gas drilling fluid is disposed of could help detect quake prone areas.
But that would be far more costly than the traditional method of drilling a bore hole, which takes a limited sample of a rock formation but gives no hint of faults lines or plates.
The more expensive method will be a hard sell as long as irrefutable proof of the link between fracking and earthquakes remains elusive.
... Read more »
Link to source site:
http://reut.rs/wQ2KIE Thank you and have a happy holiday!
Submitted by John Bennett on Tue, 2011-12-20 16:03
This is my last blog of the year so I want to begin by sincerely thanking you for being part of the most exciting year of my campaigning career. In 2011 we probably had one of highest participation rates for email campaigns in all of Canada. Again, thank you.
Today I want to tell you about a disturbing pattern emerging in the public dialogue on environmental issues that has the potential to do significant damage to the environmental movement and our ability to positively influence public opinion. Influencing public opinion, after all, is how we have achieved the great change in how the natural environment is viewed and treated, so it’s important to understand what is happening.... Read more »
