Environmental Effects Of Fracking

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The world is at a point in its history when it realizes it’s time for a change. That change being a move away from fossil fuels towards cleaner, renewable sources of energy. Many companies are creating ways the average individual can contribute to a cleaner future. Whether it’s by the creation of hybrid and electric cars or allowing people to install solar panels on their roofs and wind turbines in their backyards. However, these new sources of energy are far from perfect and will require years of research before methods of harnessing their powers become widespread. Until such a time a short term solution of providing and producing energy is required. That short-term solution comes through the process of hydraulic fracturing or Fracking for …show more content…
The waste produced is treated in municipal sewage plants rather than in toxic waste facilities. Because of this improper handling of materials rivers and tributaries sometimes become contaminated with barium, strontium, and bromides. Other approaches used to contain the contaminated water are to simply pump it into oil wells or other locations that have been previously used for fracking. This is more of a temporary storage solution that is rather short-sighted as it will also have negative effects on the environment.
Beyond the contamination of water, fracking is linked to minor earthquakes and tremors. The US Geological service claims that this is a myth although many reputable news outlets across the world continue to report otherwise.
Outside of the effects, it has on the environment, fracking is claimed to be harmful to workers. Later, in the article by Howarth and Ingraffea, it is stated that emissions created while fracking has the potential to cause cancer from high levels of exposure due to the carcinogens present. However, more in-depth research is required to substantiate the
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They are also responsible for the Carbon emissions and other hazardous gasses come from burning fossil fuels, however, natural gasses burn cleaner than other fossil fuels like coal and oil. Supporters of fracking conclude that it will not only supply electricity and it is not only abundantly available it is a better alternative to fossil fuels and will produce far fewer carbon emissions. Natural gasses are regarded as ‘bridge fuels’ by many experts and not a final solution to the energy issue that the world has, merely a way to increase the time until technologies for clean energy can be perfected. Renewable energy is still an emerging technology and will take many years to get to a level where it can replace coal, oil, and natural gas. Until such a time, fracking can produce natural gas and provide this ultimate short term solution by lessening the pressure on those responsible for clean energy.
The label of a bridge fuel is potentially the most optimistic way of viewing it. It is a pathway by which a better solution can be achieved, and not the solution itself. It would provide jobs for thousands of individuals and ease the jolt from the age of coal and oil to the age of clean renewable energy. It would replace these other fuels because it burns cleaner and it is abundant within a wealth of countries around the

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