Hydraulic Fracturing in the Movie Gasland Essay
The USA experiences the enormous growth in natural gas extraction occurring in the country today. Natural gas was very complicated to extract in the past. Now it is possible via the process recognized as hydraulic fracturing or fracking.
The film Gasland is the story of Josh Fox, who lives in a beautiful green forest, close to a river, in the house, which his parents constructed in Pennsylvania. One day he got a letter from a gas company with an offer of purchasing the rights for extraction of natural gas from his earth.
Surprised, he started his journey to discover other places where the extraction was occurring. Gasland is, in fact, the story of this trip. Fox learned that hydraulic fracturing is taking place across the entire country and that it is having a catastrophic influence on groundwater and on people and animals depending on the water.
People and animals suffer from all types of diseases because of the dark, smelling of benzine or methane water. In one of the films most stunning moments the viewers can see that the water may be set on fire by holding a simple match or lighter next to it. Being capable to set kitchen water on fire is definitely an indication that something is wrong.
Basically, natural gas extraction is a three-step process: gas organizations drill an ; next, they pump millions of gallons of water, hazardous chemicals and sand in the hole to break the shale that . Next, workers extract the gas during several years.
Fox reveals that during the hydraulic fracturing, tons of water combined with hazardous chemicals are pumped in the ground to crack the earth and free the natural gas. This water with chemicals is drained back up and left in pools, though the huge part of the water remains in the earth and finally enters groundwater. People and their animals are forced to use this water for drinking and everyday use. However, the water is in such bad condition that it causes numerous illnesses and may be set on fire due to the chemicals.
Fox also exposes the result of emissions of compounds from tanks with gas and chemicals applied in hydraulic fracturing. The most terrible truth behind the film is the fact that gas companies that cause the problems reject to fix the issue or offer an unproductive resolution.
The loophole in the 2005 Energy Bill frees natural gas drillers from any ruling under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Thus, nobody has forced the companies to reveal the chemical composition of hydraulic fracturing fluid as the mixtures have been defended as their trade secrets. The film is a persuasive case telling the public why the USA has to consider more severe control over the natural gas extraction.
Unfortunately, in the case of hydraulic fracturing, it is expected that people will not have entire control over the reactions of the the ground. There will always be unanticipated outcomes, and there will be unintentional damage to the planet. Yet, people require natural sources to enjoy daily comfort.
Hydraulic fracturing appears to be particularly unwelcome due to its closeness to people. However, each type of extraction poses an obvious risk of . The single way to avoid the danger is to avoid peoples need for natural resources. Right now humans have no chance to entirely control the natural gas extraction.
