FOR OR AGAINST FRACKING?

YOKO ONO and her son SEAN LENNON

I’ve just visited a website called, “Artists Against Fracking” It was started apparently by Yoko Ono and her son Sean Lennon, who were compelled into action by Governor Andrew Cuomo’s announcement that fracking might soon begin in New York – directly impacting their home in upstate New York.

 

It is stated that in less than 10 days after hearing the announcement, they contacted and signed-up nearly 150 of their fellow artists to join them in a campaign to stop fracking in their area.

On their web-site they explain that with a membership of more than 200 members, “Artists Against Fracking” are working to expose and stop the harmful and contaminating practice of fracking for natural gas and oil through mass awareness and peaceful democratic action. 

They claim, “That at its core, they believe that fracking for shale gas is a danger to New Yorkers. Inevitably, the process leads to the release of toxic chemicals — many of which are unknown and unreported — into our air and water”

Now call me cynical, but if fracking is releasing ‘toxic chemicals’ – many of which are unknown and unreported, how on earth do they know that they are harmful? Oh, hang on; I forgot that she’s an expert on toxic substances isn’t she? After all we are talking about the same Yoko Ono, who along with husband John Lennon became addicted to heroin when they were in London and were arrested several times on charges of possession, aren’t we.

Now not being a qualified Chemist, Engineer or Seismologist I really cannot say whether Ms Ono and her group of ‘Artists’ are right or wrong because there is always more to the story than environmentalists or the self-interested gas companies will tell us; there are most likely both good and bad points, benefits and problems, as there are with all aspects of the energy industry. The question regarding  shale gas exploration in Britain is – what will bring the most benefit to the largest number of people, and what is best for us here in the UK as a whole?

One thing is undeniable, if fracking produces safe, cheap natural gas it will make uneconomical electricity sources like windmills, solar panels, etc. even more uneconomical. And a greater supply of energy means cheaper energy and higher economic growth.