...Two opposing films best reveal the controversy and confusion surrounding fracking. These two documentaries are GasLand by Josh Fox and FrackNation by Phelim McAleer. Due to the many holes in GasLand’s logical reasoning, it is evident that FrackNation presents the better argument. GasLand is riddled with logical fallacies. Perhaps the most prevalent logical fallacy in GasLand is card stacking. Most of Josh Fox’s argument revolves around listing long chemical names and substances as a scare tactic. However, the audience is given no context as to what the chemicals are. This makes the substances appear to be much more toxic than they really are and can be misleading to viewers. Fox deliberately fails to acknowledge the fact that there is a threshold that draws the line between benign and hazardous chemicals. When this fallacy is uncovered by McAleer, Fox’s credibility is questionable and his contention is far less convincing. Josh Fox’s use of logical fallacies weaken his argument....
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...there is a basic conflict of interest between the two classes.” Social conflict theory is a theory that reflects on how the more powerful groups use their power in order to harness groups with less power. The good example of the social conflict theory can be find in the “Gasland” movie directed by Josh Fox. There are three main theories of socialism: structural functional, social conflict, and symbolic interaction. The reason for social conflict being the best candidate for Gasland is because it shows how much power, wealth, and prestige the government can hold among the U.S. population. It showed real, heart-wrenching stories of normal, everyday Americans suffering consequences from fracking. Gasland addresses the environmental harm caused by fracking. Specifically, the film targets the pollution of drinking water. It also looks at the harmful health defects that will occur once animals and humans are exposed to fracking. This documentary relates to the political economy of neoliberalism. Josh Fox is the main character in the documentary, Gasland, who shows how gasoline companies benefit themselves by impacting other people’s daily life in an unsecure way. In May 2008, Josh Fox received a letter from a natural gas company offering to lease his family’s land in Milanville, Pennsylvania for 100,000 dollars to drill for gas. He can sell his land to the government for them to put in natural gas areas and drill wells for it, but he didn’t do this because he looked for information...
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...The crack that could change lives, has been a conflict concern to the public. Hydraulic Fracturing(Fracking) is a method on how they abstract oil and gas to make an affordable source of energy. In the following documentaries FrackNation by Phelim McAleer and Gasland by Josh Fox, demonstrate different viewpoints on fracking. The individual with the greatest argument was Phelim McAleer due to using an excellent amount of persuasive strategies. In the movie Gasland Fox claims fracking has caused the water to be inadequate to drink due to the horrendous amount of chemicals in the water. Fox also claims that it is substandard to to the environment. Throughout the documentary he gives interviews to people on only his side. To make an excellent argument it involves the viewpoints of both sides of the situation. Fox’s way of persuasion is pathos.The strongest arguments provide all three of the persuasive techniques called Logos, Ethos, and Pathos. He played with the audience emotions and does not give accurate evidence to support his claims. Fox used logical fallacies like False analogy and circle reasoning. For example, fox says that fracking caused a huge increase in breast cancer in a certain area. With no valid evidence the accusation is a false analogy. Fox only swayed the...
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...| Hydraulic Fracturing Hydraulic fracturing is a completion process that has been proven. It allows producers to recover natural gas and oil safely. This process reduces our national carbon dioxide, reduces our reliance on foreign fuel imports, and accelerates our transition to a carbon light environment. The development of natural gas and oil is critical to America’s energy needs and economic renewal. The process of hydraulic fracturing is using water pressure under tight controls to create fractures in rock that allow oil and natural gas to escape and flow up out of the ground. While in this process “fracturing fluids” are mixed in using high pressure. This creates fissures that allow resources to move freely from rock pores where they are trapped. (Chesapeake Energy) First, the way hydraulic fracturing works is a production drill is drilled through the rock layers to intersect the coal seem that contains coal bed methane, CBN. Second, fractures are created or existing fractures are enlarged in the coal seem so that the CBM can be drawn from the well and pumped to the surface. These fractures are created or enlarged by using a thick water-based fluid which is gradually increased by rate and pressure. Third, over time the coal seam is unable to keep up with the fracturing fluid which results in high pressure causing the coal to fracture along the weaknesses within. Sand is pumped into these fractures to keep them ‘propped’ open after the pressures are released. After a...
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...Demand for fossil fuels in America has led to a flurry of unorthodox methods for the extraction of natural gas. Fracking or hydrofracking in the U.S.A has proven to be an efficient way of extracting natural gas from permeable rock. A new large scale hydrofracking operation has been proposed in the eastern states of Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. This method of extraction is highly controversial, and is thought to have severe environmental and potential health consequences. This essay will provide further insight into the practice of Fracking in an area of shale known as Marcellus shale, and help to expose the environmental and human implications. What is Hydrofracking? Hydraulic Fracturing is an un-conventional process used in the extraction of gas in permeable rock (David 1973). A horizontal well is drilled into permeable rock such as shale and is injected with millions of gallons a high pressure fluid known as frac-fluid, this fluid is a mixture of sand, water, and an array of lubricating chemicals (Deutch 2011). The high pressure frac-fluid forces open fishers (cracks) within the rock which are kept open with sand granules; this allows pockets of gas to flow more easily from the shale (David 1973). Once the well is depleted all fluid that can be recycled is extracted, and the well is capped to stop any unused gas escaping (David 1973). The process of fracking is expensive and requires a lot of resources including millions of gallons of water that is sourced from local reservoirs...
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...who is a representative for an energy company called Global Crosspower Solutions. The film highlights recent and upcoming issue of fracking by questioning corporate responsibilities. This paper will discuss the environmental and corporate issues presented in the movie. “The Promised Land” focuses on fracking which is a process used to extract natural gas, this extraction is done by pumping gallons of pressurized chemically treated water into coal beds. This water then expands the cracks in the rocks allowing trapped methane to escape. The fracking procedures have been reported to contaminate water supplies and affect the health of local citizens and cattle. The controversy behind this procedure first snatched public attention after a documentary called Gasland directed by Josh Fox was released in 2010. Gasland follows Josh Fox as he investigates the issues behind fracking. He interviews family after family to paint a dreadful picture for the viewer. The take home message is very clear, the corporations specifically the oil companies show a complete lack of responsibility in the jurisdiction of citizen health. The citizens interviewed in the documentary are lied to about the safety of their water and given sums of money to avert law suits and public attention. The plotline therefore focuses on the environmental and corporate involvement in fracking. The plot begins with Butler getting a promotion for excelling at leasing farm lands for a value less than...
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...1, The economic arguments in favour of fracking Enter “fracking,” the process used to access the country’s massive natural gas and oil reserves and the latest energy extraction method to come under intense fire. Ironically, it’s because of fracking that the United States now has enough oil and gas to potentially meet what has been an insatiable need for energy. (1) The economic arguments concerning fracking can be derived from two aspects, national and international. Because everything related to a country’s economy is always from these two parts. National: 1, It has already driven down natural gas prices to the point where utilities are replacing dirty coal-fired power plants with cleaner natural gas-burning plans and increasingly vehicles are burning natural gas instead of dirtier gasoline. 2, As the shale gas is increasingly explored, the coal and other fuels will be replaced. It can lead to country becoming energy independent to reduce some threats. 3, Fracking is a big industry, which can give a boost to national and local economies in forms of revenue. 4, Fracking need much more people to join in to play different roles such as geologists, well drillers, office workers, truck drivers, construction workers. International: 1, This will reverse the global energy scarcity woes, rising shale gas production has increased alternative liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies to Europe in the form of LNG displaced from the American market. (2) 2, For some country, it is...
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...Research Based Argument Paper David Odenweller 05/04/2014 Welcome to the machine Hydraulic fracturing has become one of the key issues of our time, due to the important part it plays in our nation’s ambitions for a clean and sustainable energy future. Due to recent technological advances in horizontal drilling techniques, the vast natural gas reserves found within the shale formations underground in the United States have become easily accessible. Responsible development of these resources is believed to be key to a sustainable financial, and environmentally prosperous future for America. However, recent environmental and health concerns beg to differ, and question whether these new developments pose more of a threat to americans than they are worth. Nature sustains life on our planet. Humans have developed an organization of society that runs on machines. What does it take to run the machines that power our world? Our society also runs on money. So anything that plays into the running of our society must must invariably be tied to how it profits the people in charge of running things. How does it benefit us as a whole? This question is larger than the debate which this paper addresses, yet it is valid in that it is an overarching theme that drives the situation behind the issues within. A big part of what our economy has deemed is important in order to sustain the current level of comfort that we have been sold is largely based on non-renewable energy sources such as...
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...of regulations on fracking is leading to air and water pollution, droughts and undisclosed chemicals which are used in the process. II. What is the Fracking? A. Fracking is a process to harvest Natural Gases from the earth core. 1. There are two different processes of fracking, Hydraulic and horizontal fracking. 2. Chemicals are released into wells to harvest the gas. B. The current regulations for fracking are left to each state to determine how the process works. 1. A FRAC Act requires the companies to tell what chemicals are used, but there is loophole. 2. EPA is barred from regulating the ground water. III. II. There are two main benefits of fracking; better source of energy and long term quality. A. Natural gas is a better quality of energy for the United States. 1. Natural gas is clean, safe, colorless, shapeless and odorless. 2. Natural gases burn at lower temperatures so they last longer. B. With Natural gases the dependency on foreign oils will decrease. 1. The price of oil is on the rise. 2. Natural gases are harvested in the United States. IV. III. Although the benefits of natural gas are extremely affective, the effects of the process to harvest the gas is extremely damaging to the environment. A. During the process of fracking there are chemicals...
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...transpire by undergoing the process of Hydraulic Fracturing, also known as and most commonly called, Fracking. Fracking is the process whereby natural gas is extracted from underground rock formations, known as shale, with the...
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...Fracturing Practises in Hudson Hope ABSTRACT To meet the demand of oil in today’s oil dependent society, Talisman Energy is looking to exploit a mine located in Hudson Hope, British Colombia. The most suitable extraction process is hydraulic fracturing, which currently presents several environmental concerns to the residents located near the mine, and a representation of the general public who believe that hydraulic fracturing is not an ethical method of extraction. Talisman Energy has recently been granted a long term contract to utilize fresh water from BC Hydro’s Williston Reservoir. Local residents are concerned about the additives used in Talismans fracking process, as well as the depletion of their fresh water source. The major environmental concerns associated with hydraulic fracturing include the presence of fracking additives in ground water supply, human induced earthquakes, and the use of large amounts of fresh water supply. Talisman Energy’s proposed plan of action was evaluated using a set of ethical decision making criteria in order to determine if Talisman Energy can be considered an ethical and socially responsible company. An analysis of the criteria determined that Talisman Energy currently fails to operate as an ethical and socially responsible company. Specifically, Talisman Energy did not take the initiative to evaluate more sustainable fresh water sources. It was concluded that upon further exploration in water management technology, Talisman Energy’s...
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...A big debate is brewing in the horizon’s! Has high volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) also known as “fracking” actively destroyed, and polluted the air we breathe, and the water we drink? Even though hydraulic fracturing was patented in 1869 the procedure is relatively new to the eastern states, showing up in Pennsylvania around 2003 (Mrdjen, Igor and Jiyoung Lee). With the invention of HVHF the United States has surpass both Russia and Saudi Arabia in the production in natural oil and gas. So much so that the United States has been labeled as the world’s top producer of natural oil and gas since 2009 (Mrdjen, Igor and Jiyoung Lee). Hydraulic fracturing operations consist of drilling a vertical borehole to a predetermined depth. The borehole...
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...natural gas market is a topic that I had never given much thought. Prior to selecting this research paper topic the only knowledge that I had of natural gas is that it is an affordable energy source that was used by many families. Growing up in rural Louisiana my parents had a natural gas oven and heaters. My brother actually still uses the natural gas in my parents old home. My parents’ home now is totally electric and my mother complains about the utility bill and the slow cooking speed with electric. Those complaints seem so minute after learning about the dangers of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. When first giving the list of research paper topics, the worldwide natural gas market and fracking were not on my list of topic options. However, due to my procrastination on choosing one of my first picks I had to come up with a new list. During this process I decided to Google fracking. What I saw was both interesting and disturbing. So I felt this would be a good topic to look further into. I guess one could say that my procrastination worked out for me. This has given me a new found appreciation for clean drinking water, the environment and family. I never would have thought that...
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...The relation between geology and medicine is quite intriguing and can be dated back to the times of Hippocrates and Aristotle. For centuries man has looked up to Earth for the numerous answers he seeks concerning his own body, an amalgamation of elements once sheathed in Earth. To his surprise man has found that geology is both a poison and remedy to his health. In my paper I present the two sides of the geologic coin in the world of medicine. The rocks below our feet can be deemed culprit for a number of health related issues. How many times have we heard that, ‘We are what we eat’? The source of human nutrition is cultivated from the soil. Farmers throughout the globe consider the soil as the source of their family’s bread, however dissolved material, both beneficial and harmful, get incorporated into the ground. Bunnell’s article, ‘Medical Geology: a globally emerging discipline’, discusses the “Endemic diseases correlative with soil deficiencies in selenium, the juvenile cardiomyopathy “Keshan Disease”, and the iodine deficiency disorders including goiter and myxedematous cretinism.” (Bunnell) Another area of geology I would be focusing on is groundwater; groundwater as we know is the largest reserve of fresh water to humans. So how can water something essential to human life be harmful? The answer is contamination. Contaminants in water, even present in trace amounts, can be deemed culprit for delayed brain growth, cancer and many other problems. As stated in Robert...
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