The Fracking Debate: the make or break of energy 

It may surprise some people, but fracking has been part of the energy sector for several decades. Granted, it has taken a more high-profile role since the early 2000’s, and without a doubt, has dramatically changed energy landscapes. The alternative term for fracking is hydraulic fracturing, a technique that involves injecting high-pressure fluid into shale rock formations to release the oil and natural gas trapped within. While fracking offers numerous benefits, it also poses substantial environmental and social challenges as it plays a weighted role in economic growth, energy security, environmental impact – not to mention some considerable health concerns.

Positive Contributions of Fracking

1. Increased energy independence and security

One of the primary advantages of fracking is that it has enabled countries to reduce their dependence on foreign oil. For decades previously, most countries were reliant on Middle Eastern oil imports. With the ability to produce large amounts of natural gas and oil domestically, countries can better manage supply chains, reduce vulnerability to geopolitical conflicts, and avoid disruptions in energy supply. This increased supply has also contributed to price stability, making energy more affordable and accessible for consumers and businesses worldwide.

2. Economic growth and job creation

Fracking has been a major driver of economic growth, particularly in regions rich in shale reserves like Texas and North Dakota in the United States. The fracking boom created millions of jobs in the oil and gas sectors, from drilling and extraction to transportation and infrastructure development. Substantial job growth in areas directly and indirectly related to fracking includes: engineering, construction, and service industries supporting drilling operations. Economically, fracking has brought new opportunities to previously stagnant areas, boosting local economies, raising property values, and increasing consumer spending.

3. Compared to coal, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions has been considerable

While fracking has concerned some, it has in fact led to an increase in natural gas production, often considered a cleaner-burning fuel than coal. When burned for electricity generation, natural gas emits about half as much carbon dioxide as coal, making it a preferable alternative for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In this sense, fracking has helped bridge the gap between fossil fuels and renewable energy by enabling a cleaner energy mix in the short term, buying time for the further development and implementation of renewables.

4. Lower energy prices for consumers

When a commodity is in good supply, costs become lowered. By increasing the availability of natural gas, fracking has helped to stabilise, or even reduce electricity and heating costs in countries with abundant shale resources. This has had a broad positive impact on households and industries, allowing them to allocate resources elsewhere.

Negative Aspects of Fracking

Water issues

•Fracking requires millions of gallons of water per well, depleting local water supplies, particularly in arid regions. As water becomes increasingly scarce worldwide, the water-intensive nature of fracking raises questions about the sustainability of this practice in areas where communities compete for the same resources.

•In addition, fracking poses risks to groundwater contamination. The high-pressure injection of water, chemicals, and sand into shale formations can sometimes cause leaks or spills that contaminate nearby groundwater supplies. Studies have found traces of fracking chemicals, such as methane and benzene, in drinking water near fracking sites.

Air pollution

•The release of methane – a potent greenhouse gas that is significantly more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than CO₂ –  is a particular concern. Although natural gas is a cleaner-burning fuel, methane emissions during extraction, transportation, and storage could offset some of the environmental benefits of switching from coal to natural gas.

Increased seismic activity

•The process of fracking, as well as the disposal of fracking wastewater into deep wells, has been linked to increased earthquake frequency in regions with active fracking operations. Minor earthquakes have been reported in proximity to fracking activity. While most of these earthquakes are small, some have caused property damage and heightened concerns about the long-term effects on infrastructure and public safety.

Health concerns

•People living near fracking sites have reported various health issues, from respiratory problems due to air pollution to skin and eye irritation from water contamination. The psychological toll of living near fracking sites is also noteworthy; residents often experience stress and anxiety due to noise, truck traffic, light pollution, and the fear of potential water contamination.

Possible delay in transitioning to renewable energy

•One of the more subtle negative impacts of fracking is its potential to delay the transition to renewable energy. By making natural gas more affordable and accessible, fracking has inadvertently extended the world’s reliance on fossil fuels. While natural gas produces fewer emissions than coal, it may still be a factor in climate change. The dependence on fossil fuels hinders investment in and development of, renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Critics argue that the resources directed toward fracking infrastructure could be better spent advancing renewable technologies, therefore accelerating the transition to a more sustainable and climate-friendly energy system.

Balancing the role of fracking in the energy future

Fracking’s contributions to the energy industry cannot be denied. However, as the world moves toward a more sustainable energy future, the question remains whether fracking should continue to play a role. Stricter regulations should minimise methane leaks, control water use, and enforce proper wastewater disposal. This could go some way in addressing environmental and health concerns.

Technological advancements may also reduce the negative impact of fracking; for instance, improved techniques for capturing methane emissions or waterless fracking methods are being explored. In a world facing climate change and resource scarcity, the energy industry must evolve, weighing what some view as the short-term benefits of fracking against more developments in creating sustainable energy systems.