Fracking is a drilling method that’s gotten a lot of attention lately. It cracks underground rocks to get oil and gas. While some say it’s a good energy source, there are big problems with fracking.
Fracking is bad for the climate. The gas it produces is mostly methane. Methane traps way more heat than carbon dioxide. Leaks from fracking sites are a top source of methane pollution in the U.S. These leaks make fracked gas worse for the climate than coal.
Fracking also hurts drinking water. It’s polluted water sources in many states. Some towns even had to bring in clean water when their wells got too dirty to use. The EPA found that fracking has big impacts on drinking water across the country.
The wastewater from fracking is toxic and can be radioactive. It contains harsh chemicals that can cause cancer and hurt many body systems. People living near fracking sites often get sick. They may have trouble breathing, skin issues, headaches, and other health problems.
Fracking isn’t well regulated. A 2005 law lets companies hide what chemicals they use. Most of the rules are set by states, not the federal government. Many states let oil and gas companies keep their fracking chemicals secret.
Here are some other big issues with fracking:
- It can cause earthquakes
- It’s driving more plastic production
- It leads to more pipelines being built
- It hurts communities where drilling happens
Fracking brings lots of workers to small towns. This strains housing, police, and healthcare. Heavy truck traffic from fracking sites causes problems too.
In short, fracking has many downsides for the planet and people. It worsens climate change, pollutes water, and harms health. While it provides some energy, the costs are high.
