Resource Management: UK fracking (26th April)

Question 1

What is a fossil fuel?

Answer 1

a natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms. It will eventually run out (coal, gas, oil, uranium)

Question 2

What is fracking?

Answer 2

Fracking- the extraction of gas by fracturing shale rock.

Question 3

What are advantages of of extracting shale gas in the UK?

Answer 3

• Cleanest of the fossil fuels with 45% less CO2 emissions than other, non-renewable sources and less toxic chemicals like N03 and SO2.
• Less risk of environmental accidents than oil.
• Provides employment for 1.2 million people.
• Can be transported in a variety of ways (through pipelines, or by tankers over and sea)
• Relatively abundant compared to other fuels. This is increasing as technology makes exploitation of shale gas more economic.

Question 4

What some disadvantages of extracting shale gas in the UK?

Answer 4

• Dangerous if handles/transported carelessly.
• Contributes to global warming by producing CO2 and methane.
• Fracking is controversial. Lots of water is needed (30 million litres per well). Waste water and chemicals could contaminate groundwater and minor earthquakes are possible.
• Pipelines are expensive to build and maintain; strong metal is expensive and is easily damaged from high water pressure.

Question 5

What is a stakeholder?

Answer 5

Stakeholder- a person/group who have an opinion on a planning issue.

Question 6

What would a local person near a fracking site say about fracking?

Answer 6

Against due to noise, air and visual pollution. The lorries and gas flaring will be 24/7. There is a risk of earthquakes which can cause damage. Local wildlife will be affected badly.

Question 7

What would a person not living near a fracking site say about fracking?

Answer 7

-The noise, air and visual pollution wouldn’t affect them. Prices of gas will reduce, so it will be cheaper and more affordable.

Question 8

What would the local government say about fracking, e.g. Blackpool council?

Answer 8

Against, due to the fact that Blackpool is known for their beaches and tourist sites, so tourism will be affected. This means less money will come in, and Blackpool Council don’t get any money out of it.

Question 9

What would the National Government say about fracking?

Answer 9

They would be for fracking, due to the fact that they will make 14 trillion pounds from the extracted shale gas, so financial crisis will be solved.

Question 10

What would a fracking company like Cuadrilla say about fracking?

Answer 10

They would be for, they are funded by the government, so they make money, more people employed, economically, they will excel.