On Fracking

by C. Alexia Lane

Around the world, a significant shift from conventional to unconventional energy extraction is occurring like never before. As traditional energy sources dwindle and the demand for fossil fuels continues to increase, civilization seems to be taking greater and greater risks in order to fuel our consumption and over-use of this planet's natural resources. Hydraulic fracturing, or ""fracking"", has emerged as a lightning rod of controversy as engaged citizens grow more and more concerned with the threats facing fresh water resources, local geology and sensitive landscapes. C. Alexia Lane's first RMB Manifesto introduces readers to the practice of ""fracking"" and makes it clear that there is an urgent need for current policies to be reformed in order to alleviate ever-growing community, ecological and environmental concerns.

Genres: Science, Politics

144 pages, Hardcover

First published October 14, 2013

Reviews

[Bibliovoracious · Rating 4 out of 5]

No equivocation. Fracking is bad. It uses and loses water, distributes dozens of chemicals that are not known to be safe plus several known carcinogens, and contaminates aquifers. The desperation to get the last drops of oil has caused several important things to be overlooked: human health, preservation of drinking water, and environmental pollution.

“At all costs”, we’re trying to get the oil, but the costs are really becoming “all” - frightening costs. If government can prevaricate and ignore the public and science and environment lobbies just long enough to get the oil out, well, then the consequences will drop in the future. Oh, well.

[Iz · Rating 5 out of 5]

On Fracking is a thoroughly well researched resource for anyone wanting to understand the complexity of the issues surrounding fracking and water. It shows in full the terrible current state of water protection and makes a very compelling case for the urgency to create an appropriate regulatory framework surrounding unconventional oil and gas extraction. Recommended to anyone wanting to learn more about this issue.

[Heather Sinclair · Rating 3 out of 5]

"On Fracking" was a very educational read, to say the least. Not only did I learn about the technology and techniques used in fracking for gas, but also about water. An awful lot about water.

In fact, this book could be more appropriately titled "On Fracking and Water" because most of the book is devoted to explaining the jurisdiction, laws, and practices surrounding groundwater and surface water (in particular in Alberta and Texas).

It was in interesting learning about the evolution of human fossil fuel extraction, and about the history of water usage and practices. I must admit, it got pretty tedious near the end, and I did feel mislead by the title. Barely 50% of the book was actually about fracking.

[Kurt M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book to gain some insight on water laws and regulation throughout Canada and the United States. The relationship to fracking was ok. The author points fingers at fracking ambiguously at time without much support. Opinions to the like of "It's obvious, because of ..., that fracking is to blame" and "It's only a matter of time before..." with no facts to back up. Vague relationships with biased opinion. It would be good to get more in depth with the actual statistics here, which I was hoping for, but this book falls short.

It was, however, a good primer to the word of water regulation across borders. I was stunner to learn how water management works in Texas, seems crazy!