Are you Faking Your Fracking Knowledge?
People across America are talking about the effect hydraulic fracturing (often called "fracking") is having on our food, water and health. But even if you don't have time to read all the reports and articles, you are probably curious about fracking, and why people are concerned.
So here are six informative sources on fracking:
1. Time to Face the Music: ProPublica journalism group summed up its investigative work into a song with snappy lyrics and a memorable tune. Check out this new behind-the-drill classic on Upworthy: My Water's On Fire Tonight (The Fracking Song)
2. Just the Fracts: This infographic by Linda Dong allows readers to delve deep into the world of hydraulic fracturing from the perspective of a water drop. Journey down the depths of the pipe as both facts and chemicals are added to the mix: The Dangers of Fracking
3. Seussian Cartoon Mini-Documentary: You drink water, right? Then, according to this clever cartoon by EarthJustice you--and everyone else--should be concerned about fracking. This is the story of the oil companies, who despite their best intentions can't help but succumb to Murphy's Law as "things" find a way to happen--such as toxic chemicals in drinking water: Things Find A Way.
4. This Fracking American Life: Two Pennsylvanian professors go head to head as they try to determine what's best for the people of their state. The residents of Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania stand off against a gas exploration company when they discover it has leased 95 percent of the township's land. This podcast presents the story of fracking from the people who are living it as only NPR's This American Life can do. Join Ira Glass for episode 440: Game Changer .
5. Celebrity Endorsements: New Yorkers Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon do not want to see their beloved state succumb to the dangers of fracking. They are asking everyone to "Imagine there's no fracking..." Artists Against Fracking is a coalition of over 200 A-list artists from Lady Gaga to Paul McCartney who are taking a stand for New York. In this video manifesto, they remind us that a moratorium in New York could be a powerful precedent.
6. The Whole Fracking Enchilada: Want more information? Here's a full-length documentary film. Gasland follows filmmaker Josh Fox's journey through America visiting families impacted by fracking. Whether they hoped to benefit from the riches of the "Saudi Arabia of America" and signed a lease, or they found out they didn't own the mineral rights to their own land, the results were same: sick livestock, undrinkable water, sick people and faucets that can be set on fire. Gasland looks at the science behind fracking and shares the stories of Americans who have been fracked. Visit the Gasland website to learn more or buy a copy of the film.
Danielle Nierenberg is the co-Founder of Food Tank: The Food Think Tank (www.foodtank.org); April Galarza is a graduate student at Green Mountain College.