Natural Gas Fracking Controversy in the United States - by Frances Garnett

The United States has a strong possibility of becoming one of the most important energy suppliers in the next few years because of a new system called fracking, where steam and chemicals are shot into rocks to retrieve natural gas and oil. This process has had huge effects on the world, but especially in the States. Crude oil production here is more than it's been in twenty years, and the US could soon pass Saudi Arabia and Russia as the world's largest energy producer. However, fracking is very controversial because of its environmental impacts. There are concerns about the availability of fresh water, since the fracking of one oil well requires about five million gallons of water. Fracking has also already caused earthquakes in Ohio and the United Kingdom. Aside from that, using natural gas instead of coal has bad impacts as well. Natural gas contains methane, which is much worse for the environment than carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, that is the way the market is shifting. Financing will go to obtaining oil and natural gas instead of research for sustainable energy, like wind and hyrdo-power. Many scientists want these natural resources to go untouched, but that will be hard for politicians who want to make a profit and end the current economic struggles.

The main idea of the article is that because of fracking, the United States could become a leader in global energy, but this is dangerous because of the harmful effects it can have on the planet. This article was probably written to inform people about this new development in our world, but I think that it will influence the audience so that they'll think fracking is bad. I don't think this is intentional, because it's hard enough already to make oil or natural gas look good. I agree with the majority of scientists, saying that we shouldn't use these new resources. Reading this article has made me very anxious. A few months ago, I did a research project on oil, and began to realize how essential it is to our lifestyle. I wish more people would give money to research for sustainable practices, because if we keep going like we are (or if we increase our oil and natural gas consumption, now made possible by fracking), our society will eventually collapse, since fossil fuels aren't renewable, and climate change will be even more drastic and dangerous. Articles like these are extremely important to educate people

Source: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/08/2013831142514713250.html 

• • Significance:  Why is the article important?  What conclusions can you draw from this article?  How is this document relevant to our lives today?