Shale gas energy solution or fracking hell?

A transformative solution
The Green New Deal would create 24,000 jobs in Northern Ireland, and 80,000 in the UK

What its supporters say

Because of shale gas, clean air will no longer be a luxury that only rich countries can afford. Because of shale gas, wealth and health will be distributed more equitably over the face of our planet.
Global Warming Policy Foundation

The problems

Landscape impacts
Earth tremors The amount of water needed Air pollution Water pollution Climate change

Potential risks

Pollution
Research in the US has found that:
40-50% fracking chemicals could affect the nervous, immune and cardiovascular system More than 75% could affect the skin, eyes and respiratory system Fracking fluids contain up to 93 times more benzene than diesel Wastewater can contain high levels of radiation Benzene eg in Texas more than 5 times permitted levels

Water contamination
Hydraulic fracturing will contaminate New York's aquifers. If you were looking for a way to poison the drinking water supply, here in the north-east you couldn't find a more chillingly effective and thorough method of doing so than with hydraulic fracturing."
Paul Hetzler, former groundwater contamination technician, New York State Department for Environmental Conservation

Shale Gas and climate change

1. Comparative emissions Is it really cleaner than coal?
2. Impact on overall emissions We dont need any more new fossil fuels Impact on investment in renewable energy Whats the cleanest cheapest energy?

Climate Change
there simply is not the emission space available in the timeframe that we have to utilise shale gas Professor Kevin Anderson, Tyndall Centre Shale gas has the potential to shift the balance in the energy markets that the Department of Energy and Climate Change has tried to create away from low carbon electricity generation. Energy & Climate Change Select Committee

Cross border regulation?

Shared values ?
Wealth creation
Providing for a low carbon energy future Environmental responsibility Health and Safety Community engagement & partnership

Other countries
North America
Europe Australia South Africa Northern Ireland

Our position
The evidence points to genuine and serious concerns

We need a just transition to a low carbon economy

A moratorium

Our energy future