A call for a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing in the UK
'The oil and gas industry is seeking to exploit UK onshore gas reserves trapped in shale rock and coal beds requiring environmentally damaging and risky techniques, including hydraulic fracturing (fracking). We, the signatories of this petition, call on the coalition government in Westminster, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Scottish Parliament to impose a moratorium, demanded by environmental groups and geology experts in the field, on shale gas, and on the related coal bed methane extraction industry, at least until the results of studies here, in other countries in Europe and in the US have been properly evaluated. Such moratoria are already in place in France, North Rhine Westphalia (Germany), New York State, New Jersey.'
Mark Gabb
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863 comments
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David Desgrand
commented
I am very concerned fracking will contaminate our water supply
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Frank Bennett
commented
Fracking has been liked to earthquakes in the US and to the poisoning of ranchers, cattle and crops. Please don't let the government go into approving Fracking here in the UK. We're only a small island and such effects could have catastrophic cosequences for us.
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Anonymous
commented
Public protest against fracking stopped it in France, lets get the same result in the UK
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Lynn wood
commented
Minor earthquakes in areas where there has never been even a mini-tremor before? Fracking needs to be stopped now!
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Anonymous
commented
To maybe the one politician, leader, capitalist that reads this - this earth is not just yours to destroy. It's not too late to do the right thing - and there is right and wrong even if this universe is Godless and some pain arises naturally and can't be prevented. Rather than making everything even worse than it was at the start of your career, actually be the change you want to see in the world no matter how hard and inconvenient it is for you. What is the point of you being in power if you are just going to be moulded into another drone?
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ali
commented
Its very simple Fracking is a very dangerous process to our land.
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Tony
commented
Everyone, please consider the perils of permitting fracking to recover gas from shale.
It is certain that irrecoverable damage will be caused in several areas of the United Kingdom, both to aquifer & surface water supplies and subsequently to farming (foodstuffs & pasture), thus affecting the food chain..
This risk is too great just to obtain a few years supply of natural gas.
The Coalition should lead this nation to ensure a 21st century energy policy that embraces renewable energy, not take us back to the fossil fuel dark ages.Why is it Important?
The consequences of damage to generations of the UK's inhabitants and farmland; thus any short term benefit would be outweighed by subsequent substantial long term costs, for example to the Health Service, to an inability to grow ‘clean’ crops, and a need to import even more meat and other foodstuffs etc. The balance of payments will be seriously affected
Several European countries including France, Germany, Bulgaria and even Romania have banned fracking.Perhaps it will be possible get Brussels to impose a complete ban throughout the EU.
There can be no such thing as safe fracking,Water use
Fracking a single shale well requires millions of gallons of water. Widespread shale development would thus compete with essential water needs in regions prone to water shortages
Pollution
Shale development presents inherent short-term and long-terms risks to water quality. Pollution is a fact, the American experiences with fracking confirm this. Their experience includes: air pollution, fires, drinking water contamination, and spills of industrial waste.
Climate change
It is possible that shale development could accelerate global climate change in the coming decades, contributing to increased variability in seasonal and annual rainfall pat prolonged droughts, will stress water utility systems. This factor also needs to be considered.
False Promises
Job Creation: Drilling and fracking jobs and any associated local spending on goods and services, move from town to town. It takes only about a year to prepare, drill and frack a shale gas well. This results in short term boom-and-bust cycles that will be harmful to local communities regarding reliability of employment as well as the planning decisions that would ensure a region’s long term and stable recovery with its previous working population no longer in need of benefits again.Elizabeth T
http://documents.foodandwaterwatch.org/doc/FrackingCrisisUS.pdf
http://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/dei/JMPG_1575.pdf -
Tony
commented
EU Report Urges Tight Regulation of ‘Risky’ Shale Gas Fracking
A new report from the European Union finds that fracking poses “high risks” to human health and the environment. The study concludes that no fracking should be allowed in areas where people use the water for drinking. http://j.mp/RsG4TU
“Seven other risks are highlighted, including contamination and depletion of ground and surface water, degradation of biodiversity, land, air quality and the danger of earthquakes.”
Contamination of aquifers and surface water will, without doubt, affect the country's food chain---for ever. This in turn increases the load on the health service, as well as the overall economy. Besides the costs of work essential to neutralise the contamination. It will be also necessary for the UK to import foodstuffs from countries where fracking is not permitted !
America's fracking troubles are a multitude, we don't want to make the same mistake. See just one location of many: http://ecowatch.org/2012/health-problems-fracking/ -
Anonymous
commented
Besides the dangers of earth-tremors it’s the problem of the chemicals used in the fracking process, the amount of fuel used for the transportation of equipment, the amount of water wasted in the process – I could go on. Sadly all governments will allow this, we the minority – i.e., the people who live in the country and who are interested in its survival have no say in the matter, successive governments work on the principal that the majority are uninterested in what happens, sadly they are probably right. How to destroy a country - the same way as eating an elephant – one bite at a time, look at everything else that’ been done.
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Anonymous
commented
Besides the dangers of earth-tremors it’s the problem of the chemicals used in the fracking process, the amount of fuel used for the transportation of equipment, the amount of water wasted in the process – I could go on. Sadly all governments will allow this, we the minority – i.e., the people who live in the country and who are interested in its survival have no say in the matter, successive governments work on the principal that the majority are uninterested in what happens, sadly they are probably right. How to destroy a country - the same way as eating an elephant – one bite at a time, look at everything else that’ been done.
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george
commented
just found out that fracking will begin in my home town of sandwich in kent trying to find more information. from what i have seen we do not want this here what can i do to halt this. regards george
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Paul Weaver commented
The Conservatives in the UK have stated at their party conference that they intend to promote laws to allow fracking. Its urgent we stop it now.
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Anonymous
commented
This is an environmental disaster waiting to happen. There is no specific legislative controls, authorities are not knowledgeable and regulating properly, the process is about pumping toxic chemicals into our groundwater, the companies have a history of accidents and coverups to just make a quick profit and there is political money behind it. Does this sound like a good investment for Britain?
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Anonymous
commented
Governments worldwide are supporting Fracking with taxpayers money - STOP IT!
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Janet Thompson
commented
Fracking can be dangerous, has already caused 2 minor earthquakes in Lancs/Cumbria area.
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Anthony Davies
commented
There are no adequate regulations controlling this type of exploitation; those that do exist are blatantly ignored by the likes of Cuadrilla, who breaches go unpunished by the authorities. This is not a solution to our energy needs; it is polluting; produces green-house gases by the tonne and is unsustainable.
The exploiters are looking to make a quick buck and leave us with an industrial waste land on a par with coal mining. It must be stopped -
carol
commented
Following my previous comment, here is a link to another site where you can start your own online petition:
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carol
commented
RAFF: I believe that it is now possible to start your own petition with 38 degrees but I have not been able to find the link. Perhaps you could contact 38 degrees to find out or ask them to start campaigning on this issue, as this is still only a suggestion for a campaign.
It is now more important than ever, as the new Environment Secretary is said to be in favour of fracking. Very worrying.
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RAFF
commented
Please get your family, friends, colleagues, etc to vote for this campaign. We are just weeks away from being fracked here on the Fylde, Lancashire. There are no adequate regulations in place, yet this government is hell bent on a dash for gas. Please help us. Residents Action on Fylde Fracking www.stopfyldefracking.org.uk
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Hilary Whitehead
commented
This must be stopped!
