[This was written by Fran Siebrits and published online by Hy-Se-Sy-Se www.hy-se-sy-se.com/what-the-frack, 2011]
Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is a method of extracting natural gas and oil from the layers of rock underneath our feet. A phenomenal amount of water, mixed with a shocking variety of chemicals with unpronounceable names, is forced down a pipe that has to first be drilled into the earth. The pressure of this action forces the liquid concoction into cracks in the shale layers of the rock, dislodging and releasing pockets of trapped natural gas and oil wells.
Because oil and gas is so important to petroleum companies, these “bulldogs” stampede any piece of land with the slightest whiff of natural gas resting peacefully below its surface. In short (and in theory, to be specific) the two pros of fracking in the Karoo would be an increase in economic value to the area and possible job creation. But isn’t that also what FIFA said?
As with many controversial issues that arise in SA, there are those in favour and then those (usually falling into the activist category) who are opposed to the idea.
In an article posted on 18 August 2011 on www.2oceansvibe.com, spokesperson for the Karoo Shale Gas Community Forum, Vuyisa Jantjies, didn’t show much tact or intellect on behalf of the group that is in support of the fracking. According to the site, the Karoo Shale Gas Community Forum stated that “fracking critics are ignoring the needs of the Karoo’s poverty-stricken residents”. It’s an opinion that suggests the simplistic, polarized thinking that activists are only unthinking whites pitched against poor people of colour. It’s the sad game of victim that we so enjoy playing in SA.
In the eleventh issue of Cape Chameleon (published by www.projects-abroad.org.za), which takes nature, conservation and community upliftment to heart, Maja Larsen sums up the concern of hydraulic fracturing in the Karoo to those who may still be unclear on the issue. Apart from the typo error under the first subheading where she misleadingly talks about “deep scale formations” instead of deep shale formations, the article is informative and clear. Her objective approach might not stir as much debate as Vuyisa’s viewpoint, but the information is all there, ripe for the public’s picking. And at least Larsen’s is a clean approach.
Even though Larsen looks at different views from organisations in favour of and opposed to fracking, her article was cleverly structured to persuade readers ever so slightly to oppose the proposition made by Shell to frack in the Karoo. It’s just a pity that the article doesn’t have a more pronounceable conclusion, merely stating that “We have taken the first steps towards knowledge”.
In the end, the facts speak for themselves. Having watched the documentaries, heard the rebuttals and been in the company of many a informed and heated discussion, I believe that the points against fracking are evidence enough and far outweighing the short-term benefits to the pockets of a few or governmental coffers with accounting that we are not privy to.
South Africa is a precious country. Here, the main focus should be to build a unified nation, not so? Hydraulic fracturing in the Karoo has never been about racism (someone please pass this snippet of information on to Vuyisa). It’s about a democratic South African government having to make a decision on behalf of its people; and it would seem that most people do actually give a frack about what happens to our environment.
The Karoo ‘situation’ is about more than just money; it’s about an independent developing country having the option of saying NO to the monopolies controlling the oil industry. It’s a matter of pride and conscience; it’s caring about future generations who will continue to shout “Viva South Africa!” on solid, unpolluted African soil.
2. Documentaries to watch (about the American fracking situation) are Gasland and Split Estate.
3. Read an interview with David Constable, CEO of SASOL, to get SASOL’s viewpoint here: Why Sasol supports Karoo fracking moratorium
4. If you need copies of Cape Chameleon and can’t find it, they are on Facebook too! Search for Cape Chameleon magazine.
Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is a method of extracting natural gas and oil from the layers of rock underneath our feet. A phenomenal amount of water, mixed with a shocking variety of chemicals with unpronounceable names, is forced down a pipe that has to first be drilled into the earth. The pressure of this action forces the liquid concoction into cracks in the shale layers of the rock, dislodging and releasing pockets of trapped natural gas and oil wells.
Because oil and gas is so important to petroleum companies, these “bulldogs” stampede any piece of land with the slightest whiff of natural gas resting peacefully below its surface. In short (and in theory, to be specific) the two pros of fracking in the Karoo would be an increase in economic value to the area and possible job creation. But isn’t that also what FIFA said?
The cons, however, far outweigh the good points. If you look at documentaries on the issue, it appears that top of the list are a change in environmental conditions and the negative implications on human health. The most obvious concern brought up is the chemical contamination of ground and surface water – this includes drinking water. To be completely honest, I think that listing the possible cons of fracking in the context of the Karoo will take up more space than is allocated for this piece. So without being condescending, I’ll kindly ask you to check out the top blog on the issue, listed below.“Either that or he was not given the memo by Shell that they had already tried this approach in 2010 and the public saw right through it.”
As with many controversial issues that arise in SA, there are those in favour and then those (usually falling into the activist category) who are opposed to the idea.
In an article posted on 18 August 2011 on www.2oceansvibe.com, spokesperson for the Karoo Shale Gas Community Forum, Vuyisa Jantjies, didn’t show much tact or intellect on behalf of the group that is in support of the fracking. According to the site, the Karoo Shale Gas Community Forum stated that “fracking critics are ignoring the needs of the Karoo’s poverty-stricken residents”. It’s an opinion that suggests the simplistic, polarized thinking that activists are only unthinking whites pitched against poor people of colour. It’s the sad game of victim that we so enjoy playing in SA.
This type of argumentation unfortunately suggests Vuyisa’s shallow take on the matter at large and could even show up his lack of understanding regarding economy, sociology, geography, business, natural science, and pretty much every other topic relating to the situation. Either that or he was not given the memo by Shell that they had already tried this approach in 2010 and the public saw right through it.“The controversial documentary, Gasland, which Larsen uses as her point of departure, has been an introduction and eye-opener to hydraulic fracturing for many people.”
In the eleventh issue of Cape Chameleon (published by www.projects-abroad.org.za), which takes nature, conservation and community upliftment to heart, Maja Larsen sums up the concern of hydraulic fracturing in the Karoo to those who may still be unclear on the issue. Apart from the typo error under the first subheading where she misleadingly talks about “deep scale formations” instead of deep shale formations, the article is informative and clear. Her objective approach might not stir as much debate as Vuyisa’s viewpoint, but the information is all there, ripe for the public’s picking. And at least Larsen’s is a clean approach.
The controversial documentary, Gasland, which Larsen uses as her point of departure, has been an introduction and eye-opener to hydraulic fracturing for many people. This American-based documentary highlights the negative implications of fracking on surrounding drinking water, health in surrounding communities, land degradation, and governmental silence. There are an increasing number of questions about fracking.“South Africa is a precious country. Here, the main focus should be to build a unified nation, not so?”
Even though Larsen looks at different views from organisations in favour of and opposed to fracking, her article was cleverly structured to persuade readers ever so slightly to oppose the proposition made by Shell to frack in the Karoo. It’s just a pity that the article doesn’t have a more pronounceable conclusion, merely stating that “We have taken the first steps towards knowledge”.
In the end, the facts speak for themselves. Having watched the documentaries, heard the rebuttals and been in the company of many a informed and heated discussion, I believe that the points against fracking are evidence enough and far outweighing the short-term benefits to the pockets of a few or governmental coffers with accounting that we are not privy to.
South Africa is a precious country. Here, the main focus should be to build a unified nation, not so? Hydraulic fracturing in the Karoo has never been about racism (someone please pass this snippet of information on to Vuyisa). It’s about a democratic South African government having to make a decision on behalf of its people; and it would seem that most people do actually give a frack about what happens to our environment.
The Karoo ‘situation’ is about more than just money; it’s about an independent developing country having the option of saying NO to the monopolies controlling the oil industry. It’s a matter of pride and conscience; it’s caring about future generations who will continue to shout “Viva South Africa!” on solid, unpolluted African soil.
Stay informed:
1. The action group at http://treasurethekaroo.blogspot.com/ (Treasure the Karoo) raising awareness as well as being a much-needed watchdog.2. Documentaries to watch (about the American fracking situation) are Gasland and Split Estate.
3. Read an interview with David Constable, CEO of SASOL, to get SASOL’s viewpoint here: Why Sasol supports Karoo fracking moratorium
4. If you need copies of Cape Chameleon and can’t find it, they are on Facebook too! Search for Cape Chameleon magazine.
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