The need for cheap energy is so great that countries are willing to take a gamble to be self-sufficient in energy sector. When countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran, Nigeria, Canada and Venezuela have abundance of oil and gas in reserve underground, waiting to be explored and exploited, there is no need to look for energy in deep seas, in Artic Circle, buried under billions of tons of snow and now fracking that is definitely detrimental for the wellbeing of nation like Britain.
Although America is successfully exploiting fracking phenomena, becoming virtually self-sufficient in energy sector, it is in unique position, as America is such a vast country with open, parsley populated States like Arizona, Texas, Nevada and Alaska where such exploration can be safely carried out without risk to human population, as on most part, fracking generates minor tremors, akin to earthquakes! But it is a different ball game for Britain, as it a small nation, the most densely populated nation in Europe, recently overtaking Netherland and the third in the world, behind Japan and Bangladesh, ignoring minor nations.
Fracking is relatively new and unique way of releasing energy by fracking rocks underground using “Waste Frack Fluid” process known as “Hydraulic Fracking” thus releasing gas that is brought to surface under pressure, using vast amount of water.
There is divided opinion about fracking causing earthquakes, although most scientists agree that fracking does not cause earthquakes directly but vast amount of water inserted under great pressure may be the real culprit. After the first fracking in England, numbers of minor tremors, just visible on “Richter Scale” were observed near Blackpool, the area not associated with minor earthquakes. There were only two notable earthquakes recorded in Britain in the last 200 years, in 1931 near Dogger Bank and near Chichester way back in 1884. Indeed Britain and most of Northern Europe lies outside designated area associated with fault line responsible for serious and often occurrence of earthquakes, like California, Eastern Pacific region affecting countries like Japan, Philippines and Indonesia where earthquakes and Tsunami tragedies are common occurrence.
Fracking, a lackadaisical process, is indeed a serious wound on Mother Earth, especially when nations like France and Germany; few among many have turned to solar, wind, hydro and nuclear energy, bypassing fracking all together. Britain is blessed in natural resources to produce clean energy using wind and tidal waves with 1800 miles of obliging coastline, although we lack sunshine and rivers that could produce cheap hydroelectricity. No wonder “Friends of Earth” are up in arms, protesting furiously in forlorn hope of derailing fracking.
Kumudini Valambia
By email
