Fracking - unconventional, unnecessary and unwanted25 April 2013
Controversial shale gas exploration has come to the UK.
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.
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 Shale gas: Energy solution or fracking hell?
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
- No fracking UK - Kent
- Friends of the Earth Scotland
- Frack Off
- Fracking-free Ireland
- East Kent Against Fracking
To keep up with news and discuss issues with other campaigners, join our fracking and shale gas hub.
You can also follow tweets from our anti-fracking campaigner here: @tonybosworth
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