This Fracking Guy

I started my master's program at the University of Florida with the hope of one day contributing positively to society.  Having worked in other industries, I wanted to move into an industry I thought would be more meaningful.  The plan was to earn a degree in building construction and upon graduation start a job at a company that focuses on building more sustainable, green buildings.  This is my first semester enrolled in a sustainability course.  My romantic notions haven't changed.  I still want to pursue a career making sustainable, green buildings.  What has changed is it's not as easy as I thought.  There's a lot of new technology.  There are also a lot of different materials and energy resources to take into consideration. Each decision made on product and design comes with its trade-offs.  After reading and researching alternative energies, I am more confused than prior to taking this course.  Most of my past knowledge came from the media or documentaries.  And of course, both are skewed resources.  I thought there was an answer to move from oil and coal to the use of biofuels and natural gas.  Biofuels are renewable.  So, at first glance it seems to be a no-brainer, but when the cost of food and supply are affected negatively, biofuels aren't as appealing.  From what I have seen from television advertisements and a few of the president's speeches, natural gas is the future and answer to solving the United States energy dependency problem.  Advertisements suggest that natural gas is a cleaner fuel that is abundant in the United States.  It does have a cleaner burn, but the process to extract the gas has gained skepticism.  Natural gas lies trapped deep below the surface in shale rock.  In order to extract the gas, a process called fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, has been developed.  

Drilling more than a mile deep and then horizontally across the rock allows for highly pressurized fluids to extract the gas.  The tunnels are lined with cement to prevent groundwater contamination, but there still seems to be leakage.  The chemicals used in the fracking process are kept secret, but growing evidence is showing a very deadly result.  Gasland is a documentary that aired on HBO that delves into the natural gas industry.  The director travels across the heartland of America exposing many communities afflicted with illness, polluted lands and lakes, and an increase in animals deaths due to the mess the natural gas companies have made by fracking.  Chemicals are released into the water.  Gas is also released into drinking water.  Many times potable water becomes saturated with gas after the drilling that flames can be lit on faucets. The natural gas companies continue to deny the harm fracking causes and many people believe natural gas to be the solution.  

What I have learned thus far this semester is to be skeptical. There is never really a complete alternative or solution.  Many times the consequences aren't known until after the process has been completed.  Society needs to look for alternatives to our current consumption and energy use, but with a cautious approach.