Digital Mapping Assignment: Hydraulic Fracturing

Learning Objective: To gain familiarity with the relatively intractable environmental conflict known as ‘Fracking' through various perspectives on the issue.

Your task: The issue of hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking') for natural gas in shale has been controversial. You need to watch the documentary movie, Gasland, directed by Josh Fox, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvz_m5uPV4s

The film, Gasland, helps bring the world's attention to the dangers of hydraulic fracturing. Also, you'll find a debate between Bruce Everett and John Rumpler, along with an introduction by Gail Bambrick in the article linked above. In this essay you need to summarize the documentary and the debate, and use them to analyze the issue. Analysis could either be taking a side, or using course material to help explain the debate. Consider answering any of the following:

• Which particular parts of the movie or the arguments were right or wrong, and why?

• What alternative argument could be made that was not addressed by either of the movie or the article?

• If you thought Bruce and John'sarguments were unsatisfactory, why? What further information do you feel that you'd need to decide which was right?

Format:

• Font: Times New Roman, 11 or 12 point font
• Line spacing: Whatever you want
• Number of words: Between 600 and 800
• Structure your essay (introduction, development, conclusion & paragraphs!)
• Set your essay up as if your audience hadn't read the debate

Remember to rigorously cite your source(s), as in:

Bambrick, G., Everett, B. and Rumpler, J. 2012. Fracking: Pro and Con.

Also cite any alternative sources you decided to use (you do not need to cite class lecture).