Fracking

Fracking is a technology that enables continued extraction under conditions of depletion. Most notoriously it refers to the technique of hydraulic fracturing by which fossil fuels such as petroleum or natural gas are released from rock shelves by the pumping of pressurized liquids beneath the earth’s surface. The controversy surrounding this means of extraction has centered on its capacity to pollute the water table. Opponents point to over one thousand documented cases of water contamination. The presence of chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde in the fracking solution used to fracture rocks and release hydrocarbons has insidious effects. Not surprisingly the mining industry has invested much energy and research in talking down the possibility of such toxic leakages. There is too much money at stake, let alone the attractions of pushing past the limits and peaks imposed by the carbon economy. It is an old story. Human technology defeats nature. Yet here it is reasserted, violently and profitably, just at the point when nature seemed to be exacting its revenge. Fracking should give us pause.