Natural gas is an efficient energy source, the
cleanest burning fossil fuel. It is extracted from dense shale rock
formations and has become the fastest growing source of gas, and a
significant new global energy source.
Although the energy industry has long known about huge gas resources
trapped in shale rock formations, it is only over the past decade
that companies have combined two established technologies both
hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling to unlock the gas now
known as fracking
Horizontal hydro
fracking is a means of tapping shale deposits containing
natural gas that were previously inaccessible by conventional
drilling. Vertical hydro fracking is used to extend the life of an
existing well once its productivity starts to run out as a last
resort. Horizontal fracking uses sand and a mixture of 596 chemicals, many of
them proprietary with millions of gallons of water per frack. The
pressure used, fractures the shale and props open fissures that
enable natural gas to flow more freely out of the well together with
water which has become contaminated and must be cleaned and
disposed
There are many worldwide problems and concerns
over the establishment speed and uncontrolled spread of coal seam
mining. There is not enough known about the effects on the
environment, lifestyle and health on individuals and
communities. Much more research and control is necessary, desirable
and due now. The spread and establishment of wells are uncontrolled
with little concern by the developers of the process and their
effect. The environment is being polluted, in
particular surface and underground water is being poisoned and gas
created. The lifestyle and health of people are being drastically
affected with many complaints as land owners and communities are
being ignored and effected with arable food producing land being changed, lost and
devalued
Coal
Seam Gas isn’t working outMy friends told
me you were the clean and safe energy source of the future. You
promised heaps of new jobs. Best of all, you promised to co-exist
peacefully and profitably with farmland. I couldn’t wait to meet
you.You’re not helping the climate and you’re not helping the
environment. My friends in the bush, trying to protect their farms,
don’t like you. My friends in the city, worried about clean food and
water, don’t like you. My mum doesn’t like you.Frankly,
coal seam gas you stink
When they
opened up the Australian State to CSG and now the Libs are
entrenching it. What could be more crucial than protecting our
water?The NSW
government has broken ? clear promises and is creating a CSG
catastrophe.
When asked what did you did to stop coal seam
gas, what will you say ?
1- 8 million
gallons of water and 80-300 tons of chemicals each time it's
‘fracked’. However, only 4 states have robust drilling rules in
place. Can you believe that the ‘fracking’ industry remains exempt
from 'Clean Water', 'Safe Drinking Water', 'Clean Air Acts', hazardous
waste disposal, and other federal regulations?
This way of extracting natural gas is one of the dirtiest ways to
produce energy. Yoko Ono and her son Sean Lennon started the
‘Artists against Fracking’ campaign. The effort is bringing together a
group of nearly 200 artists, musicians, and filmmakers who are
raising awareness of this dirty energy and rallying public support for
clean alternatives. Their fight is starting first with a nationwide
push to pressure New York Governor Cuomo to permanently ban fracking
in the state. Join the movement by sharing this video with your
friends now
Dirtier than industry
claimsScientific study is raising serious doubts about the green
credentials of the expanding coal seam gas (CSG) industry,
suggesting it is far less environmentally clean than it claims.
CSG mining is known as 'fracking' is
booming across southern Queensland and is now expanding into
NSW. But there
is one critical element in this equation which is how much
greenhouse gas emissions leak into the
atmosphere during the extraction process, what the industry calls
fugitive emissions.Their results so far are striking,
and researcher Isaac Santos says the amount of leaking methane is
about 3.5 times higher than had been expected. It is the biggest and worst contributor to air
pollution and climate change, and a major world problem. It negates
the aims of Australia’s ‘Pollution Tax’ Methane leaking from field
Government imposes moratorium An Australian State
Government announced a ban on further approvals on fracking in new
coal seam gas exploration wells. There is no production in Victoria
at the moment, but 24 exploration licences have been issued over the
past few years. Five shire councils across the state have been
calling for a moratorium and a study into the effect of fracking on
water supplies and the environment. Minister Michael O'Brien says a
moratorium will remain in place while it waits for a national
approach to be
developed
NSW green lightThere
is growing concerns in Australia over the speed in which the NSW
State Government has moved to approve coal seam gas exploration and
production
licenses
Release of CSG policyAustralian NSW government
has released its new policy on Coal Seam Gas extraction, promising bigger
royalties and better science but still facing dissent from farmers
and environmental
activists
Panel faces conflicts of
interestFour out
of six members of an expert committee established by the Fed
Government to assess controversial mining projects have financial links to the
mining and gas industry. Many communities across Australia are
concerned as they are
being kept in the dark of the environmental
impacts
Monckton to mining
industry English sceptic
advised industry insiders to create a US style
Fox News channel in Australia, supported by the 'super wealthy' in
order to provide supportive coverage for the mining industry
.
Farmers throw down hats Hundreds of angry Queensland farmers have
made demands about the threat of mining on their land
Industry claims minimal impact Donna Field discusses a
new report which the coal seam gas industry claims proves the impact
on water sources in Queensland's southern is minimal
Groundwater impactsScientific report questions whether falling
water levels in Thirlmere Lakes National Park near Sydney are due to
coal mining and asks what future impacts mining and Coal Seam Gas
production may have on
groundwater
.
Fracking
Future There's growing interest in exploring the NT on
shore gas resources, but the surge in exploration applications has
stakeholders very concerned. The controversial practice has caused
deep division in communities across the world and along Australia's
eastern seaboard
Anxious Harvest Australian Federal Government's
set-up a new independent expert scientific committee to examine the
coal seam gas industry, as fresh battle lines are being drawn
between farmers and gas companies
National CSG agreement
An important
step designed to protect water resources from coal seam gas
extraction and coal mining could offer a level of protection so far
unseen in Australian environmental legislation
Lateline BusinessAustralian Northern Land Council is
calling for more research on hydraulic fracturing for gas extraction
before the Territory Government gives any fracking
permits
Coal seam gas by numbers The scale and speed of its growth has been
nothing short of astonishing and billions of dollars have poured
into regional areas, new jobs have been created and state and
national coffers have swelled.Export contracts have been signed
and sealed and massive liquefied natural gas facilities have been
approved for construction at regional ports. Farmers fear they are
losing control of their land, but miners and some politicians say
coal seam gas offers a much greener energy choice. Those who are
concerned about the environment including
politicians have cast doubt on those claims with special concerns
over water pollution an pockets of gas especially from
rivers
Interactive map Showing
all the coal seam gas reserves and mining wells across the country.
What's really scary, is that the map also shows the natural water
aquifers that may be affected by coal seam gas mining operations.
Check it out here, share it with mates, and add your story about why
you're a part of the
campaign
Coal Seam Gas bonanza Economic
bonanza or an environment disaster? This was the
debate for this panel discussion on coal seam gas this year. It is
and will continue to be a highly divisive and contentious issue,
especially on the prime agricultural land that have been targeted for drilling. Proponents
promise high growth and that the process and extraction is very
carbon friendly, that there will be big jobs growth, and the
big lure of billions of dollars in taxes. But what are the
risks?
.
Hampser Wheel Looking at Fracking in Australia with Alan
Jones
Protecting water from
CSGGreensSen.
Larissa Waters gives a
speech to the Senate about her bill, giving the Australian
Government the power to protect water resources
from major mining
activities
Australian GreensMuch more than an conservation party. They promote meaningful and smart
solutions to ensure future generations of Australians have clean
air, water and soil and champion integrity, decency and
fairness
.
Declaration of Inter dependenceWe can't steal from the future to
serve the present. We need to sustain and steward the Earth for our
descendants. Please sign
David Suzuki FoundationWorks
with government's, business and individuals to conserve our
environment by providing science based education, advocacy and
policy work. They act as a catalyst for social change that today's
situation demands
.
What is radical about
caring Is it radical to care for our country,
our world, our children our grand children and our
future
Friends of the
Earth World's
largest grassroots environmental network. They campaign on today's
most urgent environmental and social issues both locally and
internationally
.
.
Greenpeace
Australia Pacific International organisation that priorities
global environmental campaigns. They use non violent direct action
to expose global and local environmental problems to force solutions
which are essential to a green and peaceful
future
Planet worth savingDedicated to activists who have lost their lives
defending the environment and its creatures, this is a powerful
reminder of just how precious our beautiful planet is and just how
important it is to save it
The rights of natureAs an environmental
lawyer, she is very aware of the shortcomings of the
current environmental laws in preventing the degradation of the
Earth
Ban Fracking now Contaminates local water supplies,
and the effects on human health and the environment may be
devastating. Please
sign and share this petition
Great Barrier Reef Millions of cubic metres of sea floor is being
removed from the World Heritage Area right now. It's the largest
dredging project ever undertaken in Australia, making way
for massive new coal seam
gas export facilities. Sign this emergency petition
now
.
Mining out of controlAustralia’s laws do not take proper account of
the industry. Sign this petition to make sure proper
measures are taken to regulate this dangerous
CSG practice
You can share
your own petition stories please contact
us
Bimblebox While very clearly exposing the
destructiveness of this industry, the film also features solutions
and viable alternatives for the future with stories from people
whose communities are under threat from mining activities in
Queensland
Quiz about fracking What is it and is it ? A threat to our health and
environment, or the solution to our
energy woes ? Take the quiz and find the truth about
it
Artists against fracking
Ban Fracking now
