Fracking Is Everyone’s Issue
July 10, 2013 at 5:28 pm 1 comment
Our friends at MoveOn.org have been busy lately encouraging us to stop Fracking in California. As a working parent of two young girls, there are things I haven’t had time to look into, this is one of them. However, after watching Sandra Steingraber’s interview with Bill Moyers, I realize now that this issue impacts my role as a parent, and it’s time to make time.
Fracking – which involves pumping pressurized water, sand and chemicals underground to crack rocks – has revolutionized oil and natural gas production in the United States. But it has not yet taken off in California, even though the state holds what could be the nation’s largest oil-bearing shale formation. Many California environmentalists want to make sure the state never experiences the kind of fracking boom that has transformed swaths of North Dakota and Pennsylvania, turning farmland into oil fields. Fracking has been blamed for tainting water supplies and worsening air pollution, although the industry insists that those fears are overblown.
It appears our politicians, including our President, are deaf to the numerous petitions from the scientific and health communities, and to it’s own citizens. This is alarming. However, I am so moved by Sandra’s commitment to providing good science, to taking a non-violent stand, and to making our water, air, and food safe for future generations, that I am encouraging each of us to:
(1) Watch this episode of Bill Moyers http://billmoyers.com/episode/the-toxic-assault-on-our-children/
Get educated and inspired by Sandra Steingraber — biologist, mother, cancer survior, and activist.
(2) Sign and share this petition with friends.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/ban-fracking-in-califoria
(3) Call Fran Pavley’s office at (916) 651-4027.
Fran is a Democratic politician who currently represents California’s 27th State Senate district, including portions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties in the California State Senate. She has drafted legislation for fracking. “There is an emerging national consensus on the basic assurances the public needs around fracking operations,” said Senator Pavley. “From chemical disclosure, to notification, to water quality monitoring and an independent health study, this legislation brings the transparency and accountability needed in order to protect our air and water supply.” – See more at: http://sd27.senate.ca.gov/news/2013-03-11-senator-pavley-amends-fracking-legislation-better-protect-health-and-safety-californ#sthash.dW4mW0ZX.dpuf)
(4) Call Jerry Brown’s office to ask him to issue a moratorium at (916) 445-2841.
Governor Brown is currently on the fence about this issue, since according to a federal government estimate, the Monterey Shale, which stretches beneath the southern San Joaquin Valley and parts of the Central Coast, holds 15.4 billion barrels of oil.
(5) Watch the movies Gasland and Gasland 2.
Gasland is a documentary written and directed by Josh Fox and nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2011. This film the film focuses on communities in the United States impacted by natural gas drilling and, specifically, a method of horizontal drilling into shale formations known as slickwater fracking.. It’s sequel, Gasland 2, which is currently running on HBO and at house parties across the country, shares more horrible stories. Watch the trailer. From the beginning though, Gasland has been more than just a movement to protect our environment and health. It is a movement about protecting our democracy and right to decide the future of our country. Check out their website for more information and to see how you can get involved. http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/
Let’s all make some time to research this issue and make our voices heard. We need to work together now to prevent destruction to our environment for this and future generations.
Entry filed under: Parenting, Politics. Tags: environment, Fracking, Gasland, Gasland 2, sandra steingraber.
queen of connection | Shelby L. Phillips 
1.
Darla | July 11, 2013 at 10:24 pm
Thank you for doing all this work for me!