The Costs of Hydraulic Fracturing

Imagine turning on your kitchen faucet and watching flames shoot out instead of water. This is a real consequence of fracking, and its adverse impacts have changed our planet drastically. From earthquakes to enormous water usage, fracking is an unsafe path that we cannot afford to take. Fracking is a process to get natural gas and oil from deep underground rock formations, where companies pump different substances such as sand, water, and chemicals into the ground at a high pressure (Let’s Talk Science, 2019). There are many debates on whether fracking is a reliable way to extract gas and oil, as it is known to pollute water, air, and harm our ecosystem. Overall, fracking has its pros and cons, but we need to think about if it is an efficient way to extract gas and oil, or if we can find better alternatives. While it provides significant energy resources, it poses severe environmental and health issues due to water contamination, seismic activity, and oil pollution, necessitating stricter regulations and exploration of safer energy alternatives. Is fracking something that will change our future, or will it destroy it? 

Fracking, also known as hydraulic fracturing, has been around since the 1940’s but became commercially viable in the 20^th century due to advancements and evolution in technology (Oil and Gas Info, 2024). Natural gas is an energy source that can be used for electricity generation, heating, and industrial purposes (Resources Naturelles Canada, 2015). Fracking has partially replaced traditional methods of oil and gas production such as vertical drilling, which is the process of wells directly being drilled into the ground (NRDC, 2019). Some governments promote fracking, as it creates jobs for many people and has some economic benefits (Forbes, 2018). Fracking is done because it can lead to economic growth in places with substantial reserves and attracts more investors and creates jobs for people. Advances in fracking such as use of technology, have made fracking more efficient and less expensive, which drives broader support.

Water scarcity is a huge problem globally, as only 3% of the water on Earth is freshwater, with the majority in ice caps or deep underground (Bureau of Reclamation, 2020). Water scarcity is increased by uneven distribution, with some regions having abundant water resources and others facing big shortages. Fracking is a major contributor when it comes to overuse of water, as it uses up about 5000-30,000 cubic meters of water each year (Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, 2024). If you compare this with some examples such as washing clothes, flushing the toilet, or taking a shower, the comparison to fracking overwater usage to these everyday activities is extreme. For example, a 10-minute shower uses about 95 liters of water (Sick Appliance, 2024). This would mean that 52,632 showers are equivalent to the lower end of fracking water usage and 315,789 showers at the higher end of fracking water usage. Fracking competes with many other water resource users, such as agriculture, municipalities, and ecosystems. The water used in fracking is often pulled from local rivers, lakes, or groundwater resources, which puts a strain on the water supply, causing droughts and water scarcity. There are many examples and case studies showing how fracking can contaminate our water resources in different ways, such as chemical spills, disposal of wastewater, and migration of fracking fluids. 

Studies have found that fracking contaminates significant amounts of water each year during extraction. Its extraction involves injecting sand, water, and chemicals into deep rock formations to release natural gas and oil. The chemicals used in the process can leak into groundwater sources, causing water contamination. Contaminated water poses serious health risks to humans and wildlife. The chemicals used in fracking, such as benzene and toluene, are known to cause various health issues, including cancer and neurological disorders. These chemicals that are involved in fracking harm the ecosystem, which can potentially lead to soil contamination and impact the agricultural practices in the affected areas and land. 

In the Northeastern part of British Columbia, known as the Peace Region, there are extensive fracking operations and has raised concerns about water contamination that could potentially harm the environment, wildlife, and communities. According to CBC News, 2020, there have been about 5,757 small earthquakes in the Peace Region and the research found that fracking activities are a significant contributor to seismic activity, with nearly 90% of detected earthquakes correlated to these operations. This is concerning because induced seismicity poses risks to infrastructure, the environment, and public safety. The frequent occurrence of these earthquakes raises alarms about the long-term impacts of fracking on geological stability and the potential for larger, more damaging earthquakes in the future.

Fracking can contribute to various types of water contamination including oil spills, wastewater disposal, and migration of fluids underground. Water contamination is not always guaranteed in fracking, as it depends on many factors, such as regulatory measures, the geology of the area being fracked, and specific practices of the process. Ensuring proper construction and maintenance of wells can potentially help the migration of fluids and contamination into the groundwater. The potential risks of fracking that are associated with a significant challenge. 

Fracking has increased the global energy production of natural gas and oil, however, there are several long-term effects that can impact the environment, including water contamination, air pollution, methane emissions, and disruption of habitats and communities by causing small earthquakes. Although it also has many positive economic effects, as it has created jobs for many people in the industry, but also has instability in property values and foundation strains. Effective regulation is necessary to mitigate the long-term effects of fracking, but it can be challenging to balance the economic benefits and public health protection. Protecting our ecosystem is much more important than economic gain, as it is undermined if they lead to a widespread of health problems. Ensuring clean water and air prevents numerous health issues, which can have a detrimental impact on communities. Overall, the benefits from fracking can be significant, but the protection of our people and environment is crucial for a sustainable development.

Fracking releases methane, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere (National Geographic, 2019). Methane has a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide over a shorter period, contributing significantly to climate change. Fracking also requires significant land to operate, which threatens the wildlife and our ecosystem as it creates land degradation, induced earthquakes, and soil erosion. The fracking process emits other air pollutants such as, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and hazardous air pollutants (HAP’s) (NRDC, 2024). Methane has a much higher global impact than carbon dioxide (Co2), about 28 times more over a 100-year period (European Union, 2024). This means that methane emissions significantly contribute to climate change, global warming, and the formation of ground level ozone known as smog. This can cause respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, and other health issues.

Hydraulic fracturing has revolutionized the energy industry by unlocking vast reserves of oil and natural gas that were previously inaccessible. While it has contributed significantly to energy production and economic growth, fracking has also raised substantial environmental and public health concerns. The practice's impact on water resources, including water contamination, excessive water usage, and induced earthquakes, poses serious challenges that must be addressed. In regions like Canada, fracking has led to documented cases of groundwater contamination, water scarcity, and community opposition.  

The future of fracking depends on balancing the demand for energy with the imperative to protect natural resources and ensure the well-being of communities. As technology advances and regulations evolve, it is crucial to prioritize sustainable practices that mitigate the negative impacts of fracking while continuing to harness its potential for energy production. By doing so, we can work towards a more sustainable and responsible approach to energy extraction that safeguards both the environment and public health for future generations.