Water, Water Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink

13 Nov

This is an old adage.  Yet with the introduction of “Fracking” as a way to increase the production of natural gas, our water tables may become polluted and make this true.

“Fracking” or Hydrofracturing is a way of use hydraulic drills to cut through shale rock and produce cracks around natural gas deposits.  4 to 7 million  gallons of water  are introduced for each fracking along with chemicals to force the natural gas to the surface.  It is hoped that this will make us more energy independent, but at what cost.  Corporations have been asked to produce lists of the chemicals that they are using for this process. This has not happened.  In addition to the water that may be polluted, water enters the atmosphere and comes back down as rain, snow, etc.  What pollutants are being put into our air.

Another concern is the potential of earthquakes as we drill into the earth. Research is just beginning to check on the connections between fracking and increased earthquake activity.

Educate yourself through the following websites  www.frack.mixplex.com/fracking, www.citizenscampaign.org/special features/hydrofracking-center.asp www.nrdc.org/energy/gasdrilling

You can join concerned people who encourage a ban on hydrofracking until technology has been changed to make it safer without toxicity.  Call on Congress to pass the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act this year.

Encourage the use of solar energy.  We know we need additional energy, but let us get it safely without ruin to our environment.

“Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.”  St. Francis of Assisi Canticle of Brother Sun

 

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5 Responses to “Water, Water Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink”

  1. Marge November 14, 2012 at 2:44 pm #

    Thanks, Dorothy. This is very good information. Thanks for teh encouragement to take action from our Franciscan values of care of teh earth and of all peoples,

    • sjssjtosf November 14, 2012 at 4:29 pm #

      Thanks, Marge. A lot of important issues, not the least of which is our care of the earth.

  2. Caroline Cerveny, SSJ-TOSF, D. Min November 26, 2012 at 12:44 am #

    It’s amazing that in today’s world, the care of the earth involves understanding today’s technologies – their gifts as well as their challenges. Thanks for bringing this to our awareness!

    • sjssjtosf November 26, 2012 at 1:03 am #

      So true, Caroline. Thanks for the comment

  3. Heike November 27, 2012 at 2:41 am #

    Hey, you used to write fantastic, but the last several posts have been kinda boring… I miss your great writings.
    Past several posts are just a little out of track!
    come on!

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