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Mark · Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 496 Location: NW England

2010 Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Award Winner:
http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/

"...if a film can ever enact social change, which is rare, the potency of Gasland suggests that this may be that film."
-- Robert Koehler, Variety

Official Blurb (US)
It seems counterintuitive, but yes, it's possible for water to catch on fire, even inside people's homes. These fires are caused by natural gas drilling, an environmentally risky practice that's contaminating water supplies in communities across the country.

Gas drilling relies on a process of special concern known as hydraulic fracturing or "fracking." In fracking, companies like Halliburton inject, at high pressure, into each well up to 8 million gallons of water and toxic chemicals (like kerosene and diesel fuel). This fluid fractures underground formations, unlocking natural gas that had been trapped. But at what cost?

Groundbreaking filmmaker Josh Fox takes a closer look at natural gas drilling and fracking and their effects on communities in his award-winning documentary Gasland.

After Fox was offered $100,000 to lease his land to a drilling company, he set off on a cross-country journey to investigate the environmental risks of fracking. During his 24-state trek, he uncovers alarming facts about the natural gas industry, health problems as a result from this contamination and (not surprisingly) loopholes in federal environmental regulation.

We hope you will be able to watch this enlightening documentary on HBO Monday, 21st June at 9 PM.

"I leaned heavily on Environmental Working Group's research on natural gas extraction techniques as source material for Gasland," said Fox. "EWG's advocacy for safer drilling brings heft to arguments urging lawmakers at the local and national level to address the astounding lack of regulation of natural gas drilling," Fox said.

Want to hear from Josh ?
http://www.enviroblog.org/2010/06/fracking-live-chat-with-ewg-gasland-director-josh-fox.html
On Tuesday, 22nd June at 2 PM join us on EWG's Enviroblog for a live chat with Gasland's filmmaker, Josh Fox, and EWG natural resources staff.
You won't want to miss this opportunity to discuss the award-winning documentary and the terrifying effects of drilling on our water.

RenewableCandy · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 6211 Location: York

Is this the one with footage of somebody setting fire to the water coming out of their tap? A really striking image, that!
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RalphW · Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 1901 Location: Cambridge

In the grand scheme of things, I think the dangers of 'fracking' unconventional gas wells are exaggerated.

Natural gas leaks to the surface all over the place in different parts of the world. Burning water is not a very rare event. Yes it is a potential hazard in populated areas, but the risks are moderate, and localised compared to say, deepwater oil drilling.

I think there will be a popular and uncoordinated and largely illogical backlash against drilling of all sorts for a few years, which will hasten the decline past peak in first world countries.

Places like Nigeria and Angola will continue BAU regardless of spills etc.

kenneal · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 5:50 pm Post subject:

emordnilap · Joined: 05 Sep 2007 Posts: 4315 Location: way out west

frank_begbie · Joined: 18 Aug 2010 Posts: 132 Location: Cheshire

Watch this. Less than half an hour, but enough to let you know what is going on.
I was only expecting to see gas coming out of a tap, but its much more than that.

http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/613/index.html
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"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot."