Classroom Discussion Topic

 

Shale gas: friend or foe?

Ever since firms in the US first discovered economic ways to extract gas trapped in shale rocks, the oil and gas industry’s attention has been firmly fixed on shale gas as the future for the energy industry.

But residents in the US have reported all sorts of problems in areas where shale gas is being extracted, particularly with their drinking water. In addition, many are questioning why we are looking to extract more of such resources, instead of looking to renewable energy.

Now the UK is investigating whether we should be extracting our own shale gas resources. Whilst it would be a boost to the economy, it would also add to the problems of climate change we are already facing.
What do you think?

To read more, visit the BBC website.

Send your classes comments to Joanna Mears at joanna.mears@geolsoc.org.uk and the good ones could be printed in our monthly Geoscientist magazine!