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The Pros And Cons Of Fracking

1192 Words5 Pages

In today’s world, sources of energy are becoming increasingly more scarce, which raises awareness. Obtaining enough energy to sustain future generations is a question that needs to be asked to today’s generation. Many experts believe that hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” is one alternative that will create a clean source of energy to fuel the future. However, with other alternatives laying around, research needs to be done in the field to fully identify both the pros and cons of fracking. Many people do not know what hydraulic fracturing is or how it is done. Hydraulic fracturing or fracking, forces natural gas and crude oil out of shale buried deep below the earth by using highly pressurized and treated water. The cracking of the shale by …show more content…

Many people are concerned about what the fracking process is doing to both the drinking water supplies and the air people breathe. One of the major reasons for global warming today is a large amount of carbon dioxide being pumped in the air every day. Fracking does not produce as much carbon dioxide but may produce much more methane which can be equally as bad for the environment. This raises awareness that hydraulic fracturing and the use of natural gas may not be as environmentally friendly and clean as once thought. “The data suggest that methane emissions from natural-gas operations could be substantially higher — and so be worse for global warming — than was thought.” (Gas and Air 131). This quote shows that more research needs to be done in the field to find more consistent numbers on pollution and fully understand the environmental effects. Air pollution is not the only concern, though many people are worried about what fracking does to the water supply. According to The Case for a Ban on Gas Fracking “wastewater contains high levels of radioactivity and other contaminants that wastewater treatment plants have had difficulty removing; this potentially contaminated wastewater can then be discharged into local rivers.”. This side of the argument tends to have the largest effect. Not only could the air people breathe be contaminated but the water that America drinks may be also. The effects of the pollution are not to be taken lightly either. Some alleged effects of the pollution are lingering rashes, nosebleeds and respiratory

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