Fracking - dangerous and distracting2 November 2011
Controversial shale gas exploration has come to the UK.
The first test-drilling sites are in Lancashire, north west England.
And interest in exploiting shale gas reserves is spreading across the UK including Wales, Northern Ireland and the south of England.
In the United States shale gas drilling has been linked to water and air pollution.
To extract the gas, water and toxic chemicals are pumped underground under high pressure using a risky technique called fracking.
Shale gas is being promoted as a way for the UK to have its own gas supply. But at what environmental cost?
Research shows that extracting the gas would harm efforts to cut our carbon emissions and meet climate targets.
And it's been linked to earth tremors.
Find out more about the impacts in our briefing Shale gas: Energy solution or fracking hell?
Friends of the Earth is calling for
- A stop to fracking.
- A full and independent study into the environmental and health risks of fracking.
Local opposition is growing across the UK. Link up with local campaign groups:
© Friends of the Earth
