The And The Revolution Of America s New On Our Children...

There’s an issue where the underlying science remains a political football, and scientists are regularly challenged and called out personally. Where energy needs and short-term economic growth are set against our children’s health and future. Where the consequences of bad, short-sighted decisions may be borne primarily by a small subset of under-served and undeserving persons. And where the very descriptive terms in the debate are radioactive, words spun as epithets. We’re not talking here about global warming, and â€Å"deniers† versus â€Å"warmists.† We’re talking about the game-changing new set of unconventional oil and gas extraction technologies and techniques collectively known as hydraulic fracturing, or â€Å"fracking.† Ask the most hardcore†¦show more content†¦The stench of unknown – even secret – chemicals, sickness, and looming illnesses, and death. Refereeing these confrontations is no easy thing, and unlike the â€Å"settled science† of climate change and its causes, the science of fracking is far from settled. But a review of the research can help clarify some of the chief points of contention. If there’s a single source plausibly seen as the fairest, most comprehensive, and cogent assessment, it might be the 2014 literature review published in Annual Reviews of Environment and Resources. It’s titled â€Å"The Environmental Costs and Benefits of Fracking,† authored by researchers affiliated with leading universities and research organizations who reviewed more than 160 studies. Below are the arguments and synthesized evidence on some key issues, based on the available research literature and conversations with diverse experts. Air quality, health, and the energy menu ISSUE: The new supply of natural gas reachable by fracking is now changing the overall picture for U.S. electricity generation, with consequences for air quality. PRO FRACKING: Increasing reliance on natural gas, rather than coal, is indisputably creating widespread public health benefits, as the burning of natural gas produces fewer harmful particles in the air. The major new supply of natural gas produced through fracking is displacing the burning of coal, which each year contributes to the