Fracking's Hidden Toll: The Health and Environmental Costs of Fossil Fuel Extraction

The mining of fossil fuels has always been a slippery slope, but with the rise of fracking, there may be a bigger impact than previously imagined. Our environment is forced to undergo serious changes due to the effects of burning fossil fuels, such as greenhouse gas emissions and rising temperatures, and the issue goes even deeper than this; even removing fossil fuels from their reservoirs takes an immense amount of resources. In fracking specifically, the significant requirement for water poses a threat to our ecosystems, atmosphere, and especially our water sources.

First of all, what is fracking? Fracking, short for hydraulic fracturing, is the process of blasting fluid underground to crack subsurface rock and release natural gas and crude oil. The fluid used in fracking is composed of water and chemical substances, rendering fracking a major contributor to water depletion, contamination, and air pollution [1]. Fracking has therefore made an unfortunate but significant impact on the fossil fuel industry. Since its invention in the 1940s, more and more companies have implemented fracking in their daily quest for fossil fuels.

Fracking drains and pollutes water sources. Each gas well uses up to 40 million gallons of water per frack, amounting to over 1.5 trillion gallons since 2011 alone [2]. Water scarcity remains a significant issue across the globe–which fracking only escalates–and has serious consequences for living and nonliving things alike. In fact, freshwater makes up a mere 3% of all the water on Earth, and only a sixth of freshwater is drinkable for humans [3]. We are already struggling to address water scarcity concerns, and fracking further amplifies these concerns. Moreover, the lack of water caused by fracking hotspots leads to frequent and severe droughts; a decrease in groundwater recharge, which impacts potable water sources; and the prevention of further oil and gas production [2]. The immense burden of fracking on water sources is extremely dangerous and may lead to unpredictable implications for human and animal life as well as our environment. Furthermore, fracking does not just deplete water sources; it contaminates the remaining water, too. The chemicals and proppants used in fracking fluid can seep into water reservoirs and aquifers that hold drinking water. These substances are considered hazardous to human health–high amounts of fracking fluid in water reservoirs cause serious health issues for people who drink the water. Worst of all, chemicals used in fracking fluid can be difficult to detect and analyze, making them an invisible hazard and increasingly dangerous [4]. 

In addition to its negative impacts on water, fracking can have serious consequences on the atmosphere and the air we breathe. Studies reveal that pollution from fracking can lead to high levels of smog and release toxic contaminants into the air [5]. These contaminants are major causes of serious lung illnesses and other diseases across the nation. If fracking continues to pollute the air we breathe, there could be even greater consequences in the future. We cannot afford to wait to find out what damage fracking might have on the environment and life on Earth.

Ultimately, fracking is extremely detrimental to both human health and the environment, especially water sources. If fracking continues its reign on the fossil fuel industry, numerous water sources across the globe could be at risk for contamination. Fracking could potentially contribute to the depletion of Earth’s freshwater sources, making water scarcity an even more severe problem. We must transition away from traditional fossil fuel extraction methods and invest in renewable, sustainable energy solutions.

Sources:

[1] https://www.nrdc.org/stories/fracking-101#history

[2] https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/09/25/climate/fracking-oil-gas-wells-water.html

[3] https://www.usbr.gov/mp/arwec/water-facts-ww-water-sup.html#:~:text=Water%20covers%

20about%2071%25%20of%20the%20earth's%20surface.&text=97%25%20of%20the%20earth's%20water,most%20industrial%20uses%20except%20cooling

[4] https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fracking-can-contaminate-drinking-water/

[5] ​​https://www.nrdc.org/resources/fracking-fumes-air-pollution-fracking-threatens-public-health-and-communities

[Cover Image] https://www.forbes.com/sites/ucenergy/2018/02/20/fracking-has-its-costs-and-benefits-the-trick-is-balancing-them/

Oil Spills: Humanity's Impacts on Otters

Hunting otters, fishing mass amounts of their food, and spilling oil in their homes since the 1900s; how badly does our world want to kill off these felines of the sea? The sea otter, endangered since 1977, still faces the threats of humanity’s mistakes today [1]. On the news, we hear of millions of gallons of oil being dumped into the sea and the countless kelp forests that have been lost. Sitting on the edge of your couch staring at that news reporter you might find yourself asking: “What can I do to help?”

First, one should understand what these creatures are facing today. Oil spills are among the biggest threats to sea otters and other animals. One of the more recent oil spills affecting otters occurred on March 24, 1989, off Bligh Reef, Alaska. The Exxon Valdez dumped over 11 million gallons of Prudhoe Bay crude oil into the waters. [2]. Over 2000 otters died from this oil spill. Otters rely on their thick fur to keep warm in colder waters. However, their insulation loses its purpose when coated in oil, and the otters almost immediately freeze to death [3]. 

Furthermore, according to Scott Bose, one of the people hired to clean up that oil spill, trying to remove oil from the water was almost completely useless [4]. Even though Exxon spent $2.1 billion hiring 10,000 cleanup workers, 1,000 boats, and 100 aircraft to fix their mess, oil can still be found on the shore by digging down a mere few inches. 

Now we come to the most important part: What can you do? Even though you may feel powerless hearing about these massive accidents, your seemingly “insignificant” actions can do a lot! You can start by preventing oil from going down drains that lead directly to the ocean. Even better, raise local awareness about littering and oil spills. Although we cannot clear the oceans of all the oil we have already dumped in them, we must stop more oil from entering our waters in the future. 

Do your part, no matter how little, to address the problems otters face. 

Sources:

[1] https://www.mmc.gov/priority-topics/species-of-concern/southern-sea-otter/

[2]https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/oil-and-chemical-spills/oil-spills/largest-oil-spills-affecting-us-waters-1969.html

[3] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-sea-otters-affected-oil-spills-roy-yu/

[4] https://www.americanrivers.org/2015/02/oil-spill-cleanups-are-a-myth/

Image Credit: https://alaskahistoricalsociety.org/personal-memories-from-the-1989-exxon-valdez-oil-spill-rehabilitating-sea-otters/

What Is Greenwashing?

We’ve all had those moments when we are deliberating between options for a product. Should you buy the wipes in a white container or an orange one? The brand credibility and prices are similar, and you deliberate in the store aisle until something catches your eye—a green leaf symbol next to the words “eco-friendly.” Great! The decision is made: you buy the “eco-friendly” wipes and help out the environment a little while you’re at it. But what if you put too much trust in that green leaf? 

You wouldn’t be alone in your attempts to help our earth in this small but meaningful way. 63% of people seek “greener” products to contribute to the sustainability of the environment [1]. Although consumers do this with good intent, the same cannot always be said of the producers. That green leaf might be an image companies throw on their labels to attract the commendable people concerned about sustainability—a marketing tactic otherwise known as greenwashing [2]. A study has shown that 42% of claims for true sustainability are misleading, and 50% of advertised environmental benefits do not provide evidence for a customer to verify such claims [3]. 

With this in mind, how can you avoid falling into companies’ marketing ploys? The easiest way is to do your research. It has been shown that 37% of the phrases tacked onto products are vague and lack substantial details about their environmental contributions [3]. If you see the words “eco-friendly” or “we use natural ingredients,” don’t take it at face value. Research the company and see for yourself if they demonstrate specific measures to make products sustainable, like minimizing their carbon emissions and waste creation [4].  A company that is going green would be transparent about its practices and have easily accessible evidence. Although it may take a few extra minutes, avoiding the trap of greenwashing will not only clean your conscience but also allow you to make positive impacts that benefit the environment, not the company’s profits. 

Citations

[1]https://theroundup.org/environmentally-conscious-consumer-statistics/#:~:text=A%20separate%202023%20survey%20of,from%20just%2027%25%20in%202021

.

[2]https://www.colorado.edu/ecenter/2023/09/27/how-identify-greenwashing-and-make-sustainable-buying-decisions#:~:text=When%20businesses%20falsely%20promote%20their,a%20portion%20of%20recycled%20materials

[3] https://www.circularise.com/blogs/greenwashing-in-businesses-part-1 

[4] https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/greenwashing 

Cover Image: https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2021/10/11/How-to-avoid-the-greenwashing-trap