Global Frackdown 2 on October 19, 2013

The first-ever Global Frackdown in September 2012 brought together 200 community actions from over 20 countries to challenge hydraulic fracturing, or fracking—a risky technique that uses millions of gallons of water, sand and chemicals to break open shale rock deep underground to release previously unrecoverable deposits of gas. The oil and gas industry has spent millions of dollars on slick PR campaigns and high-profile lobbying efforts to buy the ability to extract fossil fuels from our communities with as little government oversight as possible, all while destroying our water resources and our climate.

While the industry is working hard to protect its profits and drown out the worldwide demand for clean, renewable fuels, there is a tremendous movement afoot around the world to protect our global resources from fracking.

Together as a movement, since the first-ever Global Frackdown, we have:

Passed more than 336 measures against fracking, wastewater injection and frac sand mining in communities across the United States
Passed a moratorium on fracking in the Delaware River Basin Commission
Banned fracking in Longmont, Colorado
Passed an indefinite moratorium on fracking in Vermont
Upheld bans on fracking in Bulgaria and France, despite intensive pressure from industry
Pushed for moratoriums in multiple regions in Europe
Obtained local referenda on fracking in Romania, which rejected fracking by more than 90%
Pushed for a ban on fracking in areas for drinking water provision in Germany
Passed moratoria on fracking in the Netherlands and the Czech Republic
Organized to oppose fracking in communities in Argentina, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Egypt.
Spurred the introduction of new laws for assessing unconventional gas impacts in Australia
Delayed fracking in South Africa and the Republic of Ireland
Forced the European Union to start analyzing the risks of fracking in Europe
Persuaded 262 Members of the European Parliament – more than a third – to vote in favor of an immediate moratorium on shale gas;
The Global Frackdown will unite concerned citizens everywhere for a day of action on October 19, 2013 to send a message to elected officials in our communities and across the globe that we want a future lit by clean, renewable energy, not dirty, polluting fossil fuels. The journey to a renewable energy future will not be fueled by shale gas. Climate scientists warn that continued extraction and burning of fossil fuels will lead to catastrophic climate change.

As the oil and gas industry escalates its public relations offensive, it is critical that our elected officials hear the truth from their constituents. Fracking is an inherently dangerous technology and shale gas is not a bridge fuel to a low-carbon economy. It’s time to expose the oil and gas industry’s desire to profit at the expense of our communities and our environment. It’s time to hold our elected officials accountable. It’s time for another Global Frackdown.

Participants in the Global Frackdown will organize events in their communities to challenge decision makers to oppose fracking, united around a common mission statement calling for a ban on fracking and investment in a clean energy future.

Are you ready for the Frackdown? Sign up ( http://www.globalfrackdown.org/org-endorsement-form/ ) to endorse the day of action or host an event in your area.


Research

Fracking, short for hydraulic fracturing is a highly controversial form of oil and natural gas extraction. Fracking involves pumping underground at extreme pressure, millions of gallons of water, mixed with a toxic cocktail of chemicals, including known carcinogens. Due to new techniques and technologies more intensive and riskier than conventional drilling, fracking is more dangerous than ever. The following are just some of many reasons why we need to ban fracking now.

FACT: While modern fracking for oil and gas is lining the pockets of oil executives, it is not generating broad-based economic growth. In fact, fracking brings rampant environmental and economic problems to rural and urban communities alike.

FACT: The oil and gas industry enjoys numerous exemptions from federal environmental laws such as the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act. Because of this, the cumulative public health and environmental effects of from drilling and fracking are not well understood. It is in, effect, an uncontrolled public health experiment.

FACT: Scientists now believe that natural gas is likely worse than coal in terms of driving global climate change in the coming decades. Moreover, fracking will only prolong our dependence on fossil fuels, leaving future generations to deal with its expensive, messy legacy.

FACT: Fracking endangers drinking water, as accidents associated with the process can leak toxic chemicals into the environment.

FACT: Fracking threatens air quality. Regions with heavy drilling and fracking have elevated levels of smog and other airborne pollutants, including some carcinogens.

FACT: Fracking industrializes rural communities. Communities afflicted with fracking are introduced to heavy truck traffic, often laden with dangerous fracking chemicals and toxic waste. Meanwhile, public health is threatened, and property values plummet.

FACT: The oil and gas industry has exaggerated the economic benefits of fracking, including its capacity to create jobs. Any local jobs gained from fracking must be weighed against the risks and costs to public health, the environment and other economic sectors, such as tourism and agriculture.

FACT: Fracking will not deliver energy security. The only way for countries to ensure energy independence and security for future generations is to get off fossil fuels and pursue truly sustainable sources of power like wind and solar energy.

These problems are just some of many linked to fracking and drilling for oil and natural gas, and that’s why it’s time for another Global Frackdown! Check out our materials below to learn more about one of our era’s most pressing environmental and public health threats, and what you can do to stop it.


http://www.globalfrackdown.org/