¿Qué es el fracking? Explicado en 5 minutos

Summary

The video explains the harmful impacts of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, a method used to extract natural gas and oil. It highlights the environmental risks, including significant water contamination, methane release, and health threats to nearby communities. Despite claims of reducing emissions, fracking's reliance on methane—a far more potent greenhouse gas—makes it a dangerous false solution. The video also touches on Mexico's ongoing involvement in fracking, despite previous promises to avoid it. The video calls for a shift to renewable energy to address the climate emergency and ensure energy sovereignty.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fracking is a highly polluting method for extracting natural gas and oil from unconventional deposits.
• 😀 The technique has been promoted as a false solution to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change.
• 😀 While natural gas emits less CO2 than coal, it is primarily made of methane, a gas 25 times more potent in causing climate change.
• 😀 Between 2005 and 2010, while CO2 emissions decreased in the U.S., methane emissions from fracking increased significantly.
• 😀 Each fracking well requires between 9 and 29 million liters of water, which becomes contaminated and cannot be cleaned effectively.
• 😀 The amount of hydrocarbons extracted through fracking is less than from conventional wells, leading to rapid depletion and the need for frequent new wells.
• 😀 Fracking injects toxic chemicals into the ground, which can seep into nearby ecosystems, threatening water sources and public health.
• 😀 In the U.S., over 1,000 cases of water contamination from fracking chemicals have been reported, affecting drinking water quality.
• 😀 Countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands have banned fracking due to its environmental risks.
• 😀 Despite promises from the Mexican government, fracking continues in Mexico, with plans to explore more areas for extraction in the future.
• 😀 Shifting focus to renewable energy is crucial to combating climate change and achieving energy sovereignty, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

Q & A

What is hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and how does it work?

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a highly contaminating technique used to extract natural gas or oil from unconventional deposits. It involves drilling a vertical well up to 4 kilometers deep, reaching compacted shale layers containing gas. Then, a mixture of water, sand, and toxic chemicals is injected under high pressure to fracture the rock, allowing the gas to flow out for extraction.

Why has fracking been justified in some countries like the US and Mexico?

Fracking has been justified in the US and Mexico as a way to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change. While it's true that natural gas releases less CO2 than coal, it is mostly composed of methane, which is 25 times more potent than CO2 as a greenhouse gas, undermining the claimed environmental benefits.

What environmental risks are associated with fracking?

Fracking poses significant environmental risks, including contamination of groundwater, air, and soil. The process uses large quantities of water, which becomes contaminated with chemicals and heavy metals. The waste is difficult to clean, and the release of methane contributes to climate change. Additionally, the extraction process depletes resources quickly and requires constant drilling.

How much water is needed for each fracking operation?

Each fracking operation requires between 9 and 29 million liters of water, which is equivalent to more than 10 Olympic swimming pools per well.

What are the issues related to the contamination of water in fracking?

Fracking not only contaminates the water used in the process but also releases polluted water back to the surface. This contaminated water is then either reinjected into disposal wells or left to evaporate, posing risks of chemical leaks into the environment and water supplies.

What has been the impact of fracking on methane emissions?

Although CO2 emissions in the US decreased between 2005 and 2010, methane emissions increased significantly due to fracking. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and its release from fracking operations contributes significantly to climate change.

Why is fracking considered a short-term solution?

Fracking is seen as a short-term solution because the amount of hydrocarbons that can be extracted from unconventional deposits is lower than from conventional ones. The wells often deplete quickly, requiring the continuous drilling of new wells, which has further environmental and health impacts.

What toxic chemicals are used in fracking and what risks do they pose?

Fracking uses between 80 and 300 tons of toxic chemicals, which contaminate the water used in the procedure. These chemicals, along with the toxic waste, can evaporate or seep into the soil, causing health issues in nearby communities and damaging ecosystems.

How has fracking affected communities in the US?

In the US, there have been over 1,000 documented cases of leaks where the toxic cocktail from fracking has contaminated drinking water supplies. This has posed serious health risks to nearby families, including water contamination with harmful chemicals.

What is the current state of fracking in Mexico?

In Mexico, fracking has been allowed after the 2014 energy reform, with the government assigning areas for exploration and exploitation of shale gas. Despite promises from the AMLO administration to avoid fracking, Greenpeace has reported that the Energy Secretary has approved plans that include fracking operations.