Gas Lands Hydraulic fracturing is the forcing of fissures in subterranean rocks by introducing liquid at high pressure, especially to extract oil or natural gas. This process has been conducted since 1949, and more people have been studying how fracking affects the environment, such as Josh Fox. Josh Fox filmed and directed a documentary over Gas Lands, interviewing and following people whose lives have been affected by hydraulic fracturing near them. Throughout this documentary, we get to see how fracking is ruining certain aspects of people’s lives and forever damaging the environment we live on. In the beginning, Josh Fox explains about how his parents built the house he lives in now and how the government informed him that his property …show more content…
I didn't exactly know what fracking was until I saw this film. I now know how badly it was affecting people's daily lives and they couldn't really do much to stop it. These people literally had to build their own water systems to have drinkable water or even water to bath in. Not to mention, they were having severe medical problems, some even having lesions on their brain from these chemicals in the air. Even animals were losing their fur and being affected by the fracking. It is honestly infuriating that people can't even live their lives normally because our country is built on greed. These harmful chemicals are destroying vital parts of our ecosystems, and most people aren't doing anything to stop it. Most people running the oil companies don't even want to discuss the issue, like that isn't suspicious. I know that it's hard to get away from oil altogether, but trying to ignore the issue is only going to make it worse. Whether it be starting small, like using solar energy or converting to biofuel, this world needs to start taking hydraulic fracturing seriously and steer towards finding a solution to stop it for …show more content…
In Chapter one, it says some sources of renewable energy are solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass power. These could help steer away from hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas. The Europen Union and China have been developing and using other methods of energy, such as solar and wave and tidal energy, and overall cutting out as many fossil fuels as possible. In 2009, the wealthiest countries agreed to help other nations with converting to renewable energy if they were willing to do so. Even though these nations are “going green” it will still take time to leave oil behind for good. With this being said though, we're running out of time. From the biodiversity loss to the air pollution, fracking is only helping to destroy our environment one oil company at a
In the video “Fracking Hell: The Untold Story” by Link TV explains how natural gas has been a huge problem not only for the earth in general but for everyone and everything living in it. The video explains how North East of Pennsylvania is having difficulties to conserve a healthy environment and people. North East of Pennsylvania is the main sources to extract gas and send it throughout the United States for gasoline and so on. However, this action is wonderful for the cost of gas, but has a huge impact on the environment and the people living in Pennsylvania. A lot of people in this state are worried having health issues because everything is not usable is being thrown out to the rivers where they get their fresh water.
is a hard, dangerous, and filthy place where it is difficult to find a job. Some relatives of the couple and themselves get a house, but find out it is a swindle.
In this book, Gottesdiener writes about four different families and their challenges. These families deal with having their homes forcefully foreclosed by banks. Apart from that, African Americans were discriminated when purchasing homes, making it difficult for them to find a place. As Walt Whitman said, "a man is not a whole and complete man unless he owns a house and the ground it stands on" (35). This quote said by Whitman can be interpreted that homeownership is a way to show power and wealth. Due to the discrimination, the 1977 Community Reinvestment Act was created, which allowed loans to minorities to receive equal loans of the surrounding communities. This was specifically focused in the lower and moderate neighborhoods, but it failed due to redlining. Redlining was the act of categorizing specific areas of a neighborhood by racial conduct. For example, when a white is looking for a home, the relator shows them a map that avoids the low income area, which is typically of African
In today's global economy, energy is one of the most crucial and sought after commodities. Who supplies it and how much they supply determines how much influence they have over other countries as well as the global economy. This is why hydraulic fracturing is currently such an important and controversial topic in the United States. Hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as "fracking" or hydrofracturing, is the process of using pressurized liquids to fracture rocks and release hydrocarbons such as shale gas, which burns more efficiently than coal. This booming process of energy production provides a much needed economic boost, creating jobs and providing gas energy for Americans.
The ensuing subjects of the documentary are David and Denise. They are a married couple, in their 20’s living in Denise’s parents’ basement. They are living in the basement with the intention and desire to save money to buy a home and not sponge off of the family as her mother
Fracking can cause harm to people, animals, and nature. When they drill into the ground they are pumping chemicals to extract the gas and oil, and this contaminates the water sources around it. “An editorial on gas extraction from the Marcellus Shale in the Post-Star, a newspaper in Glens Falls, New York, contends, “New York state simply can’t take the risk. There are plenty of places to find fuel. It’s not so easy to find a new water supply for 17 million people.”” (Hydrofracking
Conflicting reports make it difficult to discern just how detrimental the practice is to the environment and people. What is known is that fracking uses phenomenal amounts of water, which is becoming a scarce resource in many parts of the country. There is no doubt that the fluid used in the fracking process contains chemicals, and when released into water supplies has negative effects on these sources. Injection of flowback materials into deep wells has been definitively linked to increased seismic activity. Damage to roads due to the high traffic of trucks shipping equipment and product is astronomical. Worldwide, four countries have outright banned the practice and others are waiting for more research to be done before they continue to allow it. A few states know the devastating side effects that come with the practice, and have banned hydraulic fracturing. While there is no doubt that fracking can produce resources that are used by Americans, there is a lot of doubt as to whether it is safe or not. Hopefully, the country will follow those that have banned the practice, and adopt other safer forms of energy
To begin, Nathan and Rukmani have to choose to sell all their belongings and keep the house; or keep their belongings and lose the house. Nathan and ruku chose to sell all their belongings. “Rather these go than the land be taken from us”(55) Nathan and Rukmani couldn't afford to pay their rent and had to sell everything. This made a difficult choice between the two: either lose the house- or sell everything, which wasn't much. Secondly, Ruku and Nathan chose to put everything towards the land. “There was no money left- every pie went to paying land dues.”(60) Nathan and ruku sold every personal item so that they wouldn't lose the house. They had the difficult dilemma to sell belonging or get land taken away. Lastly, Rukmani and Nathan, although trying their
Imagine a world where fresh and clear water was a luxury. Imagine water so contaminated with chemicals that every plant it comes into contact with dies. As the trees begin to die, oxygen levels drop. As the vegetation dies, wildlife begins to die out. The polluted water which flows through the ground into wells causes instant contamination. As the water flows out of the sink, one can strike a match and light the liquid on fire. Showering in these chemicals is out of the question. Fresh water has become a comfort, rather than a given. Could planet Earth survive this existence? If hydraulic fracturing, otherwise known as fracking, were deemed legal, this question may be put to the test. Fracking is a process in which chemicals, sand and water are used in “high volumes… to fracture gas-bearing layers of rock” (Dolesh 2). As the rock breaks, natural gas is released and then collected to be used as energy. The United States is currently sitting on a gold mine of natural gas which could stimulate our ever declining economy. The question is what price are we willing to pay for a temporary fix? Fracking is a dangerous process that should be deemed illegal due to its harmful short and long-term environmental effects.
The United States relies on imports for about forty percent of its crude oil, which is the lowest rate of dependency since 1991 according to the U.S Energy Information Administration. Today our country is trying to keep on track in becoming less and less dependent. When it comes to the topic of the future ways the United States will get its fuel, most of us readily agree that the United States should become more independent by using natural gas that is already here on our land. Where this argument usually ends, however, is on the question of the consequences drilling for natural gas brings. Whereas some are convinced drilling is safe, others maintain that it is actually in fact dangerous. Hydraulic fracturing or "fracking", the terms for drilling for natural gas, is dangerous to our public health and to the environment because of the water contamination it causes. Therefore, it is not something that should become a project for alternative fuel used by the United States.
Fracking is quickly becoming a debatable topic in our society today. The practice involves injecting fluid into the ground to fracture rock in order to release natural gas. It sounds like it would be a safe way to harness fuels in the earth’s surface, but it actually is a danger to our environment. Because of the dangers of fracking, what little fresh water remains on earth is being contaminated. It is also releasing toxins into the airs creating contaminated air and acid rain. Because of the many health and environmental dangers of fracking, it should be stopped immediately to help prevent more worldwide health issues down the road.
When his parents divorced, his father was the one to move out of the house. When Jeff was 18, Joyce took David and left. Jeffrey was alone in the house with little food and a broken refrigerator until his father and his new wife found out about the situation and moved into the house.
environmental damage mounting, the practice of fracking has only quietly expanded and profited. This concealed expansion into the nation’s backyard has only
Buying and owning your home is part of the American dream. Although the dream itself has since changed, the home still remains the main focal point. Today owning a home doesn’t necessarily mean a house. People now buy duplexes, cooperative apartments, and condominiums. For some families it could take up to a couple of generations before it’s able to have the capabilities of buying a home. To many people it means a certain achievement that only comes after years of hard work. It is a life altering decision and one of the most important someone can make in their lifetime. The reasons behind the actual purchase could vary. Before anything is done, people must understand that it’s an extraneous process and it is a long term project.
Fracking is a pressurized, chemically treated mixture of water and sand to release and extract natural gas and petroleum from shale rock. There are many articles, studies being done, and organizations fighting for what they think is right. Environmentalist want the technique of fracking banned because it plays a part in global warming, affects our water, and causes human health problems. If fracking cannot be banned because of its necessity then it should be made safe and eco-friendly. The process involves a well being drilled vertically to the desired depth, then turns ninety degrees and continues horizontally for thousands of feet into the shale believed to contain the trapped natural gas. A mix of water, sand, and various chemicals is pumped into the well at high pressure in order to create fissures in the shale through which the gas can escape. Natural gas escapes through the fissures and is drawn back up the well to the surface, where it is processed, refined, and shipped to market. Flowback returns to the surface after the