Fracking and shale gas

25 April 2013

To extract the gas, water and toxic chemicals are pumped underground under high pressure using a risky technique called fracking.

In the United States shale gas drilling has been linked to water and air pollution.

In the UK fracking triggered earthquakes at the test-drilling sites in Lancashire. Despite this, the Government has given the green light for fracking to continue.

Friends of the Earth are supporting the local community in Balcombe, West Sussex to stop test drilling from happening in their village. Hear from local residents and find out what's happening on the ground in Balcombe.

Please ask the local council to say no to drilling in Balcombe.

The threat of fracking is spreading.

The South East and South West England, the East Midlands, Wales and Northern Ireland are all being considered for fracking.

Shale gas is advertised as a way for the UK to have its own gas supply. But at what cost?

Shale gas is too risky

In addition to pollution and local impacts:

• Shale gas would contribute to dangerous climate change.
• Shale gas is unlikely to cut energy bills.

Find out more in our briefing - 'Unconventional, unnecessary and unwanted: why fracking for shale gas is a gamble the UK does not need to take'

Help us stop fracking in the UK

Friends of the Earth is calling for a stop to fracking. We need clean energy, not more fossil fuels.

Local opposition is growing across the UK. Link up with local campaign groups:

• Central Lancashire Friends of the Earth
• Ribble Estuary Against Fracking
• Residents Action on Fylde Fracking
• Vale says no
• Frack-free Sussex
• Frack-free Somerset
• Friends of the Earth Scotland
• Frack Off
• Fracking-free Ireland
• East Kent Against Fracking

Find out how to get involved in Global Frackdown day and the month of action on energy. You can also have a look at our fracking resources and join our fracking and shale gas hub. 

Follow tweets from our anti-fracking campaigner here: @tonybosworth