With concerns mounting over the environmental impacts of ‘fracking’ (shale gas exploration) and coal bed methane in the North West, Manchester Friends of the Earth are inviting people to a meeting to learn more about ‘fracking’ and shale gas exploration and how they can help make the NW a ‘frack-free region. [1]
Speakers will include Bob Dennett (Residents Action on Fylde Fracking) and Helen Rimmer (Friends of the Earth North West) who will provide updates on:
- policy and political context of fracking and coal gas methane [2]
- where testing is happening
- the climate and environmental implications of developing these high carbon unconventional fuels
- community concerns about the local environmental and social impact of the extraction of such fuels
- and campaign activities to help make the North West a Frack-free region.
Shale gas is being promoted as a safe, clean energy source that can help the UK in the transition to a low carbon economy. But widespread ‘fracking’ in the North West could have serious environmental impacts on groundwater quality, water resource needs and food supply [3] and climate change emissions. [4]
Friends of the Earth believes that until these issues are satisfactorily addressed, there should be a moratorium on shale gas exploration and drilling in the UK. Colette Humphrey, Manchester Friends of the Earth co-ordinator said:
“Drilling for shale gas raises serious safety concerns and risks polluting water supplies – and it could take vital funding away from the clean energy solutions we know are safe and will work. There should be no more fracking in Britain until safety and environmental concerns have been properly addressed.”
The Manchester Friends of the Earth meeting will be held at the Green Fish Resource Centre, 46-50 Oldham Street, Manchester, M4 1LE, at 6.45pm on Tuesday 9th April.
ENDS
CONTACTS FOR COMMENTS
Pete Abel, Manchester Friends of the Earth Co-ordinator. Mobile: 07951 642858.
Lyndsey Fall, Manchester Friends of the Earth, media office. lyndsey@manchesterfoe.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
[1] The meeting will be held at the Green Fish Resource Centre, 46-50 Oldham Street, Manchester, M4 1LE. Map on Tuesday 9th April, 6.45pm for 7pm start.
[2] Local planning permission has been granted for exploration for Coal Bed Methane extraction at Barton Moss.
[3] See Friends of the Earth Briefing, October 2011, Shale gas: energy solution or fracking hell? http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/shale_gas.pdf and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14432401 What is fracking and why is it controversial?
[4] See also the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research report “Shale gas: a provisional assessment of climate change and environmental impacts”, January 2011, available at http://www.tyndall.ac.uk/publications/technical-report/2011/shale-gas-provisional-assessment-climate-change-and-environmental
[5] Manchester Friends of the Earth is an award-winning environmental campaign group, raising awareness and lobbying for policy changes at a local, regional, national and international level. The group consists entirely of volunteers, and its campaigns are funded by membership fees and individual donations. Up-to-date information is available on the group’s website: www.manchesterfoe.org.uk Manchester Friends of the Earth is a Licensed Local Group of Friends of the Earth, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
[6] Manchester Friends of the Earth has endorsed Manchester: A Certain Future, an action plan for the city of Manchester to cut its carbon emissions by at least 41% by 2020. For more information, visit http://www.manchesterclimate.com/
