What the Frack?
Fracking is a water-intensive process that poses numerous risks to Canada’s groundwater and surface water supplies. Without strong regulation, there is a high risk that water levels will be depleted at an unsustainable pace. Accessing shale rock uses a lot of energy and requires that wells be dug past the fresh water zone. Any cracks or damage to the protective barrier between the well wall and the protective casing risks water contamination – in fact, several incidents of contaminated domestic or drinking water wells have already been reported in the United States. There is currently no standardized procedure for the disposal of wastewater from this practice. This water is high in mineral and salt content, and also contains traces of chemicals and heavy metal particulates. As such, it must be dealt with properly.
Government-led investigations into the risks of this process are needed NOW, not after the industry has reached its full momentum. Up until this point, no Canadian federal or provincial regulators have taken a vocal stance on this issue. In fact, the National Energy Board has tended to downplay potential environmental impacts. The Canadian federal and provincial governments have a bad record of giving environmental assessment responsibilities for energy projects to industry regulators, rather than to environmental agencies. It is imperative that this doesn’t happen where shale gas production is concerned.
Fracking News and Resources:
Fracking, Shale Gas and Children's Health: Toxins and Vulnerable Populations Prevent Cancer Now, August 15, 2012
Nova Scotia delays Fracking decision for 2 years CBC News, April 17, 2012
Sandra Steingraber, Living Downstream, and the fight against fracking, An Ounce e-Newsletter, Spring 2012
When Cowboys Cry: In today’s Wild West, energy corporations are the new outlaws, Orion Magazine, May/June 2012
A Rock and a Hard Place: The energy industry calls fracking a game changer. Environmentalists compare it to coal and oil., Walrus Magazine, December 2011
Fear of fracking: How public concerns put an energy renaissance at risk, Globe and Mail. March 9, 2012
Fracking, shale gas and cancer: Health risks at every step, An Ounce, Winter 2012
Ohioans Demand Fracking Moratorium at Ohio Statehouse Rally, January 10, 2012
Fracking likely linked to groundwater pollution in U.S. CBC News, December 8, 2011
Fracking operations increase risk of drinking water contamination: new study, Media Release, May 11, 2011
Shale Game: Playing with unknowns underground, Orion Magazine, June 2010
Fracking, shale gas and health: A case for precaution, An Ounce, Summer 2011
Fracture Lines: Will Canada’s water be protected in the shale gas rush?, Munk School of Global Affairs, October 2010
#BlackOutSpeakOut - Be Heard Today!
JUNE 4, 2012
Dear Friend,
In the three weeks since the #BlackOutSpeakOut campaign was launched by Canada’s leading environmental groups (Sierra Club Canada, CAPE, CPAWS, David Suzuki Foundation, Ecojustice, Environmental Defence, Equiterre, Greenpeace, Nature Canada, Pembina Institute, West Coast Environmental Law and WWF Canada) tens of thousands of Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast have joined us!... Read more »
Sierra Club Canada - Submission to the Senate Committee on Energy (Re: C-38)
May 31, 2012
Submission to the Senate Committee on Energy
Re: Bill C-38
John Bennett, Executive Director
Sierra Club Canada
Thursday, May 31 201
... Read more »
- Alberta Tar Sands and Mackenzie River Delta
- Biotechnology
- Challenging Unsustainable Aquaculture
- Clean Up Chalk River!
- Climate Change
- Climate Summits
- Ecological Fiscal Reform
- Ecosystems
- Forests
- Forests and Climate Change
- Green Budget Coalition
- Municipal Pesticide-Free Campaign
- People Trade & the Environment News Digest
- Population and the Environment
- Right to Water
- The Boreal Forest
- Toxic Sludge
- Water
- A Park as Tribute to Andy Russell
- Alberta Tar Sands Pipelines
- CAFE Canada
- Energy Onslaught
- Fair Trade
- Forests and Biodiversity
- General - No issue selected
- International Program
- Nuclear Phaseout
- Pesticide Awareness
- Poverty Reduction for Environmental Conservation
- Safe Food and Sustainable Agriculture
- Sustainable Fisheries
- Toxics Awareness and Education
- Water Quality
- Wilderness and Species Conservation
- Alberta Centennial Wilds
- Ban Asbestos
- Food Irradiation
- National Forest Strategy
- Nuclear Subsidies
- Oceans
- Protecting Marine Areas from the Threat of Oil and Gas Development
- Renewable Energy
- Toxics
- Trade and Environment
- Waste Diversion
- Water Conservation
- Alberta Grizzlies
- Caribou - Endangered
- Food Miles
- Government
- Industrial Water Consumption
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Pesticides
- Radioactive Waste
- Sydney Tar Ponds
- Andy Russell – I’tai sah kòp (Castle)
- Great Lakes
- Nuclear-Free Canada
- Toxins In Food Consumables and Packaging
- Bighorn Country
- Intensive Livestock Operations
- National Water Strategy
- Endangered Species
- Mussel / Shrimp / Salmon Aquaculture
- Water Exports
- Flathead Valley
- Virtual Water Exports
- Mountain Park - Cheviot
- Indigenous Sovereignty
- Atmosphere & Energy
- Health & Environment
- Protecting Biodiversity
- Transition to Sustainable Economy
- Login to post comments
UPDATE: #BlackOutSpeakOut Events
Media Release, May 29, 2012
#BlackOutSpeakOut Update
We are just a week away from #BlackOutSpeakOut day (June 4th). I can tell you the campaign momentum is building! The list of participating organizations is over 100 and growing! Maude Barlow just told me The Council of Canadians is also joining the protest. All across the country Canadians are recognizing that silence is not an option in face of the war on nature and democracy.
This week here in Ottawa we have two events:
Event #1:... Read more »
- Alberta Tar Sands and Mackenzie River Delta
- Biotechnology
- Challenging Unsustainable Aquaculture
- Clean Up Chalk River!
- Climate Change
- Climate Summits
- Ecological Fiscal Reform
- Ecosystems
- Forests
- Forests and Climate Change
- Green Budget Coalition
- Municipal Pesticide-Free Campaign
- People Trade & the Environment News Digest
- Population and the Environment
- Right to Water
- The Boreal Forest
- Toxic Sludge
- Water
- A Park as Tribute to Andy Russell
- Alberta Tar Sands Pipelines
- CAFE Canada
- Energy Onslaught
- Fair Trade
- Forests and Biodiversity
- General - No issue selected
- International Program
- Nuclear Phaseout
- Pesticide Awareness
- Poverty Reduction for Environmental Conservation
- Safe Food and Sustainable Agriculture
- Sustainable Fisheries
- Toxics Awareness and Education
- Water Quality
- Wilderness and Species Conservation
- Alberta Centennial Wilds
- Ban Asbestos
- Food Irradiation
- National Forest Strategy
- Nuclear Subsidies
- Oceans
- Protecting Marine Areas from the Threat of Oil and Gas Development
- Renewable Energy
- Toxics
- Trade and Environment
- Waste Diversion
- Water Conservation
- Alberta Grizzlies
- Caribou - Endangered
- Food Miles
- Government
- Industrial Water Consumption
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Pesticides
- Radioactive Waste
- Sydney Tar Ponds
- Andy Russell – I’tai sah kòp (Castle)
- Great Lakes
- Nuclear-Free Canada
- Toxins In Food Consumables and Packaging
- Bighorn Country
- Intensive Livestock Operations
- National Water Strategy
- Endangered Species
- Mussel / Shrimp / Salmon Aquaculture
- Water Exports
- Flathead Valley
- Virtual Water Exports
- Mountain Park - Cheviot
- Indigenous Sovereignty
- Atmosphere & Energy
- Health & Environment
- Protecting Biodiversity
- Transition to Sustainable Economy
- Login to post comments
#BlackOutSpeakOut Ottawa Teach-in May 30th
Dear Friends,
It has been a busy few weeks here in Ottawa and across the country. People everywhere are talking about devastating changes to environmental law and regulation (Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and Fisheries Act) undemocratically crammed into the federal budget.... Read more »
- Alberta Tar Sands and Mackenzie River Delta
- Biotechnology
- Challenging Unsustainable Aquaculture
- Clean Up Chalk River!
- Climate Change
- Climate Summits
- Ecological Fiscal Reform
- Ecosystems
- Forests
- Forests and Climate Change
- Green Budget Coalition
- Municipal Pesticide-Free Campaign
- People Trade & the Environment News Digest
- Population and the Environment
- Right to Water
- The Boreal Forest
- Toxic Sludge
- Water
- A Park as Tribute to Andy Russell
- Alberta Tar Sands Pipelines
- CAFE Canada
- Energy Onslaught
- Fair Trade
- Forests and Biodiversity
- General - No issue selected
- International Program
- Nuclear Phaseout
- Pesticide Awareness
- Poverty Reduction for Environmental Conservation
- Safe Food and Sustainable Agriculture
- Sustainable Fisheries
- Toxics Awareness and Education
- Water Quality
- Wilderness and Species Conservation
- Alberta Centennial Wilds
- Ban Asbestos
- Food Irradiation
- National Forest Strategy
- Nuclear Subsidies
- Oceans
- Protecting Marine Areas from the Threat of Oil and Gas Development
- Renewable Energy
- Toxics
- Trade and Environment
- Waste Diversion
- Water Conservation
- Alberta Grizzlies
- Caribou - Endangered
- Food Miles
- Government
- Industrial Water Consumption
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Pesticides
- Radioactive Waste
- Sydney Tar Ponds
- Andy Russell – I’tai sah kòp (Castle)
- Great Lakes
- Nuclear-Free Canada
- Toxins In Food Consumables and Packaging
- Bighorn Country
- Intensive Livestock Operations
- National Water Strategy
- Endangered Species
- Mussel / Shrimp / Salmon Aquaculture
- Water Exports
- Flathead Valley
- Virtual Water Exports
- Mountain Park - Cheviot
- Indigenous Sovereignty
- Atmosphere & Energy
- Health & Environment
- Protecting Biodiversity
- Transition to Sustainable Economy
Groups slam changes to environmental process
Groups are slamming the federal Conservative government's plan to speed up the environmental review process, suggesting it will become a rubber stamp that won't protect the health and safety of Canadians.
"This is about bulldozing things through over the objection of people or without thinking it through," the Sierra Club's John Bennett told CTV's Power Play.
Streamlining the environmental review process was a key plank in the Tories' first majority government budget, released Thursday.
But Bennett, the executive director of the environment watchdog, said the changes will result in weaker environmental assessments, as well as projects being approved without a full understanding of the social, economic and environmental impacts.
... Read more »- Login to post comments
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