Kiera Jefferson
Fracking is a highly polluting process that involves blasting huge volumes of water mixed with toxic chemicals and sand deep into the earth to fracture rock formations and release oil and natural gas. It has been linked to the contamination of water and air, as well as the emission of massive greenhouse gases. Fracking also produces more wastewater than the amount of oil it produces, and this wastewater is often shipped to special storage facilities underground. The construction of infrastructure like pipelines and roads can also change the shape of a landscape forever, decimating and fragmenting habitats that wildlife need to survive. To protect the environment from the dangers of fracking, communities are fighting back and calling for bans and moratoriums at the local, state and national levels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prohibit fracking | Communities are fighting back and calling for bans and moratoriums at the local, state and national levels |
| Replace diesel-powered equipment | Engines that use natural gas or solar panels will reduce harmful gases and lower environmental damage |
| Treat wastewater | Treating wastewater can reduce pollution and the treated water can be reused in the fracking system |
| Limit air pollution | The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued new standards to limit harmful air pollution from the oil and gas industry |
What You'll Learn
Banning fracking
Fracking is an extreme form of energy production that endangers our health and wildlands. It involves blasting huge volumes of water mixed with toxic chemicals and sand deep into the earth to fracture rock formations and release oil and natural gas. This process produces massive amounts of greenhouse gas pollution and contaminates our air and water.
To stop pollution from fracking, we must ban this inherently dangerous technique. Fracking threatens our climate by opening up vast new deposits of fossil fuels, taking us further away from our goal of leaving 80% of proven fossil fuel reserves in the ground to prevent catastrophic climate change. If the fracking boom continues, oil and gas companies will light the fuse on a carbon bomb that will shatter our efforts to avert climate chaos.
Communities across America are fighting back against fracking, and organisations like the Center for Biological Diversity are working to ban this growing threat at the local, state, and national levels. Banning fracking is the most effective way to protect our environment and our health from the dangers of this extreme form of energy production.
While some argue for cleaner technologies and methods to reduce the environmental impact of fracking, such as replacing diesel-powered equipment with engines that use natural gas or solar panels, these solutions do not address the fundamental issue of opening up new fossil fuel deposits. Treating and reusing wastewater can reduce pollution, but it does not eliminate the threat that fracking poses to our climate and environment.
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Reducing the use of diesel-powered equipment
Fracking is an extreme form of energy production that blasts huge volumes of water mixed with toxic chemicals and sand deep into the earth to fracture rock formations and release oil and natural gas. This process contaminates our air and emits massive greenhouse gas pollution. One way to reduce pollution from fracking is to reduce the use of diesel-powered equipment.
Diesel-powered equipment produces poisonous pollutants and greenhouse gases when used to drill or pump wells. Replacing diesel-powered equipment with engines that use natural gas or solar panels will reduce the amount of harmful gases emitted and lower the overall damage to the environment. This is a crucial step in mitigating the negative impacts of fracking on our planet.
Diesel-powered equipment is commonly used in the fracking process, but it is a significant contributor to air pollution. By transitioning to alternative power sources, such as natural gas or solar energy, we can significantly reduce the emission of harmful gases. This approach not only lessens the environmental footprint of fracking but also improves air quality and protects public health.
The use of diesel-powered equipment in fracking has been identified as a major source of pollution. By reducing our reliance on diesel and transitioning to cleaner energy sources, we can make a substantial difference in lowering the overall environmental impact of fracking. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the health risks associated with air pollution.
Additionally, it is important to address the issue of wastewater produced during the fracking process. Treating and reusing wastewater can help reduce pollution and minimise the environmental impact of fracking. By implementing effective wastewater management strategies, we can further reduce the pollution associated with diesel-powered equipment and other aspects of fracking.
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Treating and reusing wastewater
Fracking produces more wastewater than the amount of oil it produces. This wastewater contains chemically treated water and natural water from rock formations. The wastewater is usually shipped to special storage facilities that are underground. However, treating wastewater can greatly reduce pollution caused by wastewater. The treated water can also be reused in the fracking system.
Treating wastewater involves removing the chemicals and other contaminants that are present in the water. This can be done through a variety of physical, chemical, and biological processes. Physical processes may include filtration and sedimentation, while chemical processes may include the use of coagulants and flocculants to remove suspended solids. Biological processes may involve the use of bacteria or other microorganisms to break down organic contaminants.
Once the wastewater has been treated, it can be reused in the fracking system. This helps to reduce the amount of freshwater that is needed for fracking and can help to reduce the environmental impact of the process. Reusing treated wastewater can also help to reduce the cost of fracking, as it eliminates the need to purchase freshwater.
There are a number of ways to reuse treated wastewater. One option is to inject it back into the ground to help stimulate oil and gas production. This process, known as waterflooding, involves injecting water into an oil or gas reservoir to increase pressure and push the oil or gas towards the production well. Another option is to use treated wastewater for dust control on roads or construction sites. This helps to reduce the amount of freshwater that is used for these purposes and can also help to reduce the amount of dust that is generated during construction or other activities.
In addition to these uses, treated wastewater can also be used for agricultural irrigation, industrial processes, or even for drinking water in some cases. However, it is important to note that the treatment process must be carefully managed to ensure that the water is safe for these purposes and does not contain any harmful contaminants.
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Limiting air pollution from the oil and gas industry
Fracking is an extreme form of energy production that blasts huge volumes of water mixed with toxic chemicals and sand deep into the earth to fracture rock formations and release oil and natural gas. This process contaminates our air and emits massive amounts of greenhouse gas pollution. To limit air pollution from the oil and gas industry, we can take several measures:
Firstly, we can replace diesel-powered equipment with engines that use natural gas or solar panels. This will reduce the amount of harmful gases emitted and lower the environmental impact of fracking. Diesel-powered equipment produces poisonous pollutants and greenhouse gases when used for drilling or pumping wells, so transitioning to cleaner energy sources can significantly reduce air pollution.
Secondly, treating and reusing wastewater can also help to limit air pollution. Fracking produces more wastewater than oil, and this wastewater contains chemically treated water and natural water from rock formations. By treating and reusing this wastewater in the fracking system, we can reduce the pollution caused by wastewater transportation and storage.
Additionally, prohibiting or placing moratoriums on fracking can be an effective way to limit air pollution from the oil and gas industry. Fracking opens up vast new deposits of fossil fuels, taking us further away from our goal of leaving 80% of proven fossil fuel reserves in the ground to prevent catastrophic climate change. By banning or temporarily halting fracking, we can reduce the environmental and social problems caused by this inherently dangerous technique.
Furthermore, strengthening regulations and enforcement at the federal and state levels is crucial. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued new standards to limit harmful air pollution from the oil and gas industry, there are still gaps and insufficient protections from air pollutants. Improving scientific data collection on the cumulative risks posed by emissions from wells, pipelines, compressor stations, and roads can help inform more effective regulations.
In conclusion, limiting air pollution from the oil and gas industry requires a combination of transitioning to cleaner energy sources, treating and reusing wastewater, prohibiting or placing moratoriums on fracking, and strengthening regulations and enforcement. By implementing these measures, we can reduce the environmental and health impacts of fracking and move towards a more sustainable future.
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Prohibiting the opening of new fossil fuel deposits
To stop pollution from fracking, we must prohibit the opening of new fossil fuel deposits. Fracking is an extreme form of energy production that endangers our health and wildlands. It involves blasting huge volumes of water mixed with toxic chemicals and sand deep into the earth to fracture rock formations and release oil and natural gas. This process produces more wastewater than oil and contaminates our air and water with massive greenhouse gas pollution.
Fracking also threatens our climate by opening up vast new deposits of fossil fuels. If the fracking boom continues, oil and gas companies will light the fuse on a carbon bomb that will shatter efforts to avert climate chaos. To protect our environment, we must leave about 80% of proven fossil fuel reserves in the ground and prohibit this inherently dangerous technique.
One way to do this is by implementing fracking bans and moratoriums at the local, state, and national levels. Communities across America are already fighting back against fracking and calling for a ban on this growing threat. By prohibiting the opening of new fossil fuel deposits, we can prevent further environmental and social problems caused by fracking.
In addition to prohibiting new fossil fuel deposits, we can also reduce pollution from fracking by replacing diesel-powered equipment with engines that use natural gas or solar panels. This will lower the amount of harmful gases emitted and reduce the overall damage to the environment. Treating and reusing wastewater can also help to reduce pollution caused by fracking.
Finally, it is important to address the lack of health-protective regulations at the federal and state levels. The oil and gas industry has been exempted from many regulations that limit air pollution. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently issued new standards to limit harmful air pollution from the industry, there are still major gaps that need to be addressed. By strengthening regulations and enforcement, we can better protect communities from the air pollutants associated with fracking.
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Frequently asked questions
To stop pollution from fracking, we must prohibit this inherently dangerous technique. The Center for Biological Diversity is working to ban fracking, and supports fracking bans and moratoriums at the local, state and national levels.
Fracking poisons our water, contaminates our air and emits massive greenhouse gas pollution. It involves blasting huge volumes of water mixed with toxic chemicals and sand deep into the earth to fracture rock formations and release oil and natural gas. This extreme form of energy production endangers our health and wildlands.
Fracking has polluted both groundwater and surface waterways such as rivers, lakes and streams. Fracking fluid can leak or spill as it is transported to the site of the well, mixed with chemical additives, and pumped from place to place. Fracking also involves highly pressurizing that liquid — so damage to the well infrastructure can result in blowouts that spew wastewater into the environment.
The oil and gas industry has been exempted from many regulations that limit air pollution from industrial activity. At the federal level, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued new standards to limit harmful air pollution from the oil and gas industry—but these still contain major gaps. State regulations are patchy and enforcement often cannot keep up with the industry's rapid expansion, resulting in insufficient protection from air pollutants.
