Opening Statement
The recent developments of natural gas may not be as perfect as they seem. With almost all extracted energy, there is going to be a price. We have found that there is compelling evidence against the motion to support natural gas which we find to be quite troubling. It seems to have just as negative of an effect on the environment as its coal predecessors.
Firstly, with the extraction of natural gas, there is the possibility of spills, which can affect both ground water and surface water. If we have oil leaks into ground water environments, the whole community of organisms living there will be affected. When this oil mixes with the water, it can kill of smaller organisms, which then leads to those higher on the food chain to starve out and die as well. Also, the oil can sink to the floor of this body of water and coat it with a thick layer of oil, cutting even more food for certain types of aquatic life. With this food-destroying combo, an entire community can be wiped out.
Also, there has been evidence of increased seismic activity around these wells. While it is still only recorded lower on the Richter scale, if more wells are created, it’s a possibility that this low-level activity could become full-scale earthquakes.
As you can see, there is a definite and real danger with the extraction of natural gas. We can’t blindly support a new source of energy based off of some pathos about reduced emissions. There needs to be further study into the actual effects of natural gas wells, and if they are truly less impactful on the environment.
The recent developments of natural gas may not be as perfect as they seem. With almost all extracted energy, there is going to be a price. We have found that there is compelling evidence against the motion to support natural gas which we find to be quite troubling. It seems to have just as negative of an effect on the environment as its coal predecessors.
Firstly, with the extraction of natural gas, there is the possibility of spills, which can affect both ground water and surface water. If we have oil leaks into ground water environments, the whole community of organisms living there will be affected. When this oil mixes with the water, it can kill of smaller organisms, which then leads to those higher on the food chain to starve out and die as well. Also, the oil can sink to the floor of this body of water and coat it with a thick layer of oil, cutting even more food for certain types of aquatic life. With this food-destroying combo, an entire community can be wiped out.
Also, there has been evidence of increased seismic activity around these wells. While it is still only recorded lower on the Richter scale, if more wells are created, it’s a possibility that this low-level activity could become full-scale earthquakes.
As you can see, there is a definite and real danger with the extraction of natural gas. We can’t blindly support a new source of energy based off of some pathos about reduced emissions. There needs to be further study into the actual effects of natural gas wells, and if they are truly less impactful on the environment.