Fracking: the Process of Extracting and Drilling - Essay Example

Environmental Studies Institute Affiliation Fracking of the problem Fracking is the process of extracting and drilling deep down to the ground followed by an injection of a high-pressure water mixture to the rocks with the primary objective of releasing the gas inside. Sand, water and other chemicals are added into the rocks at high pressure, and this process enables the gas to eject out to the head drilled well. Fracking is also termed as “hydraulic fracturing,” it is a vicious procedure that major organizations such as BP, Halliburton employ to remove natural gas and oil from the rocks deep down the earth. The process of Fracking is excused from primary environmental laws, as well as the Safe Drinking Water Act, and gas spills and mishaps are very common (McKenzie, et.al, 2012). What role have humans played in this problem? People have played an immense role in this environmental issue; it starts from the process of extracting the gas to the transportation of the waste materials. This puts the water bodies and the general health of the human beings a very significant risk. In fact, most individuals who close to the fracking sites have acquired severe illness from drinking water that is contaminated. The tap water has so much methane such that it can even light a fire (McKenzie, et.al, 2012). All this has been caused by the fracking activities and the poor methods of disposing of the waste products. The industries are not allowed to reveal the chemicals used in the process of fracking, and this is an implication that they are aware that they use dangerous materials. Societies with fracking have witnessed deteriorations in the value of property, growths of the crime rate, and decline in local tourism and farming (Finewood & Stroup, 2012). What if any health or other effects have this problem caused humans? Over 70% of the elements used in this process are likely to be harmful to the eyes, the skin, as well as the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems. Roughly 50% of these materials are likely to have an impact on the brain cell structure, immunity and cardiac systems, 25% of these are liable to cause cancerous diseases and other body related mutations. Nonetheless, most hazards of the pollutants used in the fracking procedure do not appear instantaneously, and they are long term and entail studies observing into long-standing health effects. Methane is a key constituent of natural gas and it likely to trap heat in the atmosphere 20 times than carbon dioxide; this leads to air pollution (Finewood & Stroup, 2012). The fracking process uses chemical additives in the procedure of drilling mud, and the fluids are vital to this process; this leads to major water pollution. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); have confirmed that residents of areas close to the fracking process, such as Pavillion, Wyoming are likely to be consuming polluted that has serious health effects (Howarth, et. al, 2011). Review a current strategy and solution to the problem. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has broadcasted major rules on the release of methane to the open air from the production of oil and gas. This is because they term methane as a critical pollutant and its new strategy would necessitate a 45 % decrease by the year 2025 from the levels in the year 2012. These new rules have received wide support due to the importance of safeguarding human life, air and water. How will the problem likely develop over time if no actions are taken? If no action is taken, more people are likely to get serious complication as a result of consumption water that is polluted. This leads to the government spending on health services to the fracking victims, a situation that can be prevented. Also, the sick people cannot lead to the positive development of a country (Bamberger &Oswald, 2012).. The will be no economic growth as all the properties that are near the fracking sites have lost value. Pollution of land and water leads to a land that is not productive, and this means that people in these regions have to get food elsewhere or depend on the government for help (Bamberger &Oswald, 2012). How does public policy play a role in this problem? The public policy does not focus on the people who are affected, and it does not focus on any possible means of making the polluted safe for use. It is advisable to move all the people living around the fracking sites to regions that are safe. This means that the public policy is one-sided; it does not wish to stop the process of fracking despite the current short and long term effects (Colborn, et.al, 2012). Does a public policy solution to the problem present any drawbacks? The major drawbacks of the policy solution are associated with the economic benefits of fracking; a lot of natural gas has been produced in this process. This gas is from the shale formations that no one thought would have any economic use; the shale of this gas has resulted to an economic growth. As the process of fracking is encouraged the prices of natural gas goes down, this is a good move economically (Colborn, et.al, 2012). This is one the main drawback as to why it is hard to implement any strategy that will see the reduction of the production of shake gas (Howarth, et. al, 2011). Create and design an advertising campaign to solicit support for your newly formed advocacy group The shale gas can never be the solution to the shortage and price of gas; it is, therefore, not a long term solution. The procedure used to extract this gas is high controversial as it pollutes the air, water and turns the cultivatable land to industrial areas. Fracking results to earthquakes, has the probability of contaminating the water table and thus a dangerous method of powering the rising energy needs. People ought to capitalize in a cleaner future. Let us not ruin the natural resources and human life over greed and our personal needs. Part 2 Environmental flow chart Fracking process Prodcution of shale gas pollution of air and water New sources of fuel economic growth (low gas prices) Short term solution. Health problems, loss of lives, loss of farming land References Bamberger, M., Oswald, R. (2012).Impacts of Gas Drilling on Animal and Human Health. New Solutions: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health, 22(1): 51-77. Colborn T, Kwiatkowski C, Schultz K, Bachran M. 2012.Natural Gas Operations from a Public Health Perspective,Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: an International Journal 17(5):1039-1056. Finewood, M. H. and Stroup, L. J. (2012), Fracking and the Neoliberalization of the Hydro- Social Cycle in Pennsylvanias Marcellus Shale. Journal of Contemporary Water Research & Education, 147: 72–79 Howarth RW et al (2011). Methane and greenhouse-gas footprint of natural gas from shale formations. Climatic Change Letters. DOI 10.1007/s10584-011-0061-5 McKenzie L, Witter R, Newman S, Adgate J, 2012,Human Health Risk Assessment of Air Emissions from Development of Unconventional Natural Gas Resources, Science of the Total Environment,424:79-87. Read More