Fracking as a New Technique of Drilling Deep into the Earth - Research Paper Example

Fracking in Unethical and Harmful to the Environment Fracking is a new techniqueof drilling deep into the earth followed by injection of a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals into the rocks at high pressure to release fossil fuels inside the earth. This process creates new pathways to release gases trapped deep in the earth’s interior, and at the same time the process can be used to extend the existing channels. Whereas economists argue that fracking is the most economical way of obtaining fossil fuels in large quantities to propel the country’s economy; it is important to note that fracking has more harm than benefit to our society and environment. Any support and activities on fracking is equivalent to sitting on a time bomb and doing nothing about it. It is time for environmentalist to take action and stop fracking activities before the earth is in for irreversible troubles. Fracking and its related activities cause numerous harm to the environment and human beings, in addition to being unethical practice, and thus, it should be stopped. Fracking uses a lot of water, which in most cases is not available at the fracking site. Therefore, the stakeholders involved seek water also used by the community, which leads to depletion of community water sources; depleting water supplies could affect the cost of water for farmers and nearby communities. Transportation of water to the sites is very expensive, and the costs used in this transportation would have been put into better use like supporting the needy in society. Not to forget that clean water is a precious resource and scarce; hence it is very unfair to misuse it for fracking activities (Berkowitz 24). Moreover, transportation of this water uses a lot of energy, which can be put into other useful uses. Furthermore, the tracks for transporting this water release toxic gases into the atmosphere, which pollutes the air and cause environmental degradation. Furthermore, trucks used to transport the fluids cause extensive destruction of roads hence increase in the costs associated with road renovation. The transport trucks are also responsible for noise pollution, not forgetting the large volumes of dusts associated with them. A combination of the above negative effects causes discomfort on the locals around the fracking sites hence in flinching on their rights to clean and healthy environment. Research shows that the chemicals used in fracking have carcinogenic properties; in the event that they escape through accidents or leakages and contaminate ground water, serious health concern arises due to possible predisposition to numerous types of cancer (Steyl and Tonder 42). This raises eyebrows given the fact that there are increased cases of cancer ailments in the world today. A large percentage of chemicals used in fracking are chemicals that interfere with body natural signaling system, such chemicals cause reproductive interferences such as infertility in both livestock and humans. Therefore such fracking activity not should be allowed to take place due to its unbalanced benefits and loses. If the argument is based on the economy, then still it can be deduced that fracking has no economic benefit since its side effects impacts harshly on the other sectors of the economy. For instance, the chemicals used have contributed to a decline in productive rates for livestock hence a possible threat on the sustainability of food production. Whereas it is right for energy prospectors to research on cheap and reliable sources of energy, they should be conscious on the impact of their activities on humankind. For instance, fracking has been associated with earth tremors; a clear indication that continued practice may likely attract an earthquake, the activities weaken the tectonic plates and destabilizes them; hence, posing a great danger to humanity. Earth quakes lead to massive loss of life and property. Think of a world with frequent earthquakes? Life will be unbearable. US has a good number of exports of gas especially in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania, which have a number of implications to the economy. Even though the gas producing states have experienced benefits associated with fracking that include lease payments, cheap energy, jobs and royalty checks. And also the gas industry has showed a revolutionary potential through creation of energy markets globally and high rise in demand for the natural gas prices in the international markets following the rising demands on the use of natural gas as an alternative form of energy, it’s of great concern to note that fracking has enormous environmental challenges that pose a threat to the states and their neighbors. The greatest nightmare faced by Ohio, Pennsylvania and Colorado as results of fracking occur at the local level. There are a number threats posed by fracking; however, the most prone area to these challenges is the environmental. Many concerns have been raised over fracking, which cause soil pollution and environmental pollution. An example is the deep caverns that were used in drilling that caused an earthquake that was felt in the surface of Youngstown in Ohio State. Such occurrences are real evidence that continued activity may result in future catastrophes. United States experiences a lot of earthquakes especially the serious earthquakes in California and other serious seismic faults that destroy a lot of properties as well as life. Researchers articulated these earthquakes to the high drilling activities taking place in several states of America such as Colorado, Ohio, and Texas among others (McGlynn 53). In addition land fragmentation has been experienced in Ohio and Pennsylvania as a result of drillings. Land fragmentation is a blow to the agricultural sector since it reduces the size of agricultural land and make it hard for mechanization in farming. Fragmented farmland entails much more work to cultivate than continuous farmland hence in fragmented farms, farmers either to exert more efforts to maintain productivity or accept lower profits and stand the risk of going out of business, means that all other businesses depending on the farm also go out of business hence at no time should agriculture be substituted with fracking. In many instances, farmers have complained of contamination of soil and drinking water by fracking activities. Ohio farmers argue that their lives are in danger since their survival depends on clean water, soil, and air. The presence of the contaminants makes water scarce since most underground water sources are already contaminated. Additionally, the contaminants have destroyed many aquatic animals in three American states. The Pennsylvania experience on water contamination is evident. Pennsylvanian fracking penetrates several feet underground while drinking water is extracted from few feet depths, hence high chances of injecting fracking compounds into drinking water (Hunter 19). Moreover, heavy trucks used for transportation to and from fracking sites compact soils and creates impermeable surfaces making it difficult if not impossible for farmers to make the soil usable for farming activities. Moreover, fracking increases soil acidity; hence, reducing the amounts of usable essential nutrients in the soil. Consequently affecting plant and vegetation growth, research shows that methane leakages from fracking sites changes oxygen and bacteria content of the soil hence reduction in plants ability to fix nitrogen, create cellulose and limits plants ability to maintain proper hydration. In fracking, the companies involved are required to disclose the quantity of chemicals used more especially in hydraulic fracturing fluids. This is to enable the public research on the chemicals used. However, most of these companies are not willing to be kicked out of the market; hence, there have been challenges on the assessment on the side effects of chemicals used due to limited information. Moreover, some companies hide some information or give false information to protect their interest, leaving the question of how safe is humankind? The answer to such a question calls for action (Boulder 14). In addition, drilling companies are more interested in achieving a breakthrough in their quest to obtain gases, and they lay little emphasis in determining the water table in areas of drinking water wells. Fracking activities should be burned since companies engaged in fracking have raised concern on their inefficient management of fluids. Consequently there has been increased production cost and waste of resources, leakages have led to emission of greenhouse gases into the environment, ignorance and incompetence of drilling companies employees have led to the unnecessary emission of volatile and harmful gases into the environment. Some of these gases allow incoming solar radiation but prevent outgoing terrestrial radiation hence increasing global warming. Global warming is one of the greatest challenge faced by the earth recently, many initiatives have been undertaken to curb the catastrophe, and hence any activity that pulls back the process should not be welcomed at any cost. Fracking proves to be a setback in the fight against global warming (Boulder 13). Apart from the usual reported accidents, small accidents do occur and rarely make their way beyond local reporting. For instance, in Tyler country, West Virginia an accident occurred on the Lisby natural gas well pad on January 2nd where a tank ruptured and leaked fluids to the surrounding ground. It should be noted with concern that the tank contained fracking fluids. One person at the site broke an ankle. Research has noted that the federal occupation safety and health administration has cited the company with 38 worker safety violations, this raises an alarm on how many violations a company should commit before it is shut down. Such accidents are common across oil and gas fields. Not every accident can make news headlines, but such smaller accidents collectively add up to residents’ fear more so those who live nearby, as they may fear for their safety while on the roads or in their own homes. Research has shown that fracking impacts negatively on health, study showed that infants born within a radius of 2.5 km radius from the fracking site were having a low birth weight (McGlynn 54). Jobs are good, but safety should be a priority, oil and gas industries not only pose a danger to those living along the train routes, it has been reported that workers in the oil and gas industries are facing increased accidents. Despite the creation of employments, it has been noted that there has been an increased loss of life in the industry, for instance, 138 workers died on worksite last year. As much as fracking provide important resources, life should be given priority; it is noted that accidents happen in dangerous industries, some of these accidents increase when workers are kept on the job for long hours and without protective gears and proper training (Homme 72). Evidently, fracking is dirty and destructive; if we need a future for our environment then urgent measures should be taken to stop immediately fracking, if it is the need for energy then energy prospecting companies should put more emphasis on clean and safe forms of energy. Continued fracking and associated activities will lead to future negative impact on the economy and total destruction of the environment. Consequently, there will be increased environmental catastrophes and health conditions, therefore, strict measures should be taken to stop fracking. Works cited Berkowitz, Michael. Toxic chemicals on tap: how natural gas drilling threatens drinking water. Chicago, IL: Environment Illinois, 2009. Print. Boulder, Colo. Fracking our future measuring water & community impacts from hydraulic fracturing. Western Resource Advocates, 2012. Print. Hunter, John O. Chasing Crazy Horse II: the next chapter of our land betrayal. Hornell, NY: New Life Printers, 2013. Print. McGlynn, Daniel. Fracking controversy: are new natural gas drilling methods safe?. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press, 2011. Print. Steyl, G., and G. J. Tonder. State of the art: fracking for shale gas exploration in South Africa and the impact on water resources : report to the Water Research Commission. Gezina [South Africa: Water Research Commission, 2012. Print. Homme, Alex. Hydrofracking what everyone needs to know. New York: Oxford University Press, 2014. Print. Read More