Campaigners against Fracking have launched an online petition calling on the Isle of Wight Council to reject any and all applications for permission to use the drilling technique known as fracking on the Island.
They set out the reasons for their opposition to fracking in the petition,
Why is this important?
Horizontal hydraulic fracturing, ‘fracking’, is a way of extracting oil and/or gas. Water, sand and toxic chemicals are injected at high pressure into underground rocks to shatter them. This releases the gas/oil which can be collected.But investing in carbon-intensive fossil fuels is a distraction from the need to decarbonise our electricity supply.
And it’s hazardous. Studies show that fracking pollutes water supplies (with arsenic and lead), causes earthquakes, and spoils local communities.
The Island’s environment is particularly precious to its vital tourist industry and its water table is a resource we cannot afford to put at risk.
We very much urge the Isle of Wight Council to live up to its proclaimed ‘green’ aspirations by instead actively encouraging micro-generation of ‘green’ renewable energy on the Island.
If you would like to see the online petition visit the 38Degrees Website.
Find out more about Fracking from Professor Chris Rhodes and see readers’ discussion on the issue.
