Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

The NT must keep the door firmly closed to fracking

By Rosalie Schultz - posted Monday, 8 May 2017


No amount of legislation or voluntary code can prevent accidents, flooding and spilling of containment pools, or casing failure, which cause leaks. NT is at particular risk because of our extreme climate. This is may be exacerbated by climate change, with the likelihood of increasing floodsand cyclone intensity.

Experience elsewhere demonstrates contamination occurs despite the best efforts of companies and communities. Attempts to draw attention to a leaknear Broome were silenced. The NT has a poor record of enforcing regulation, ensuring compensation to affected communitiesand rehabilitation of sites damaged by extractive industries. Our culture of relaxed attitudes to regulation, and a focus on mateship and relationships could leave future generations at great risk.

Doctors are also particularly concerned about the contribution that fracking for unconventional gas will have on climate change, the greatest threat to public health this century.

Advertisement

Gas extracted through fracking – methane- has as much greenhouse gas per unit energy as coal when the full life cycle is considered. Methane is the second largest greenhouse gas contributor to climate change after CO2. Methane's global warming potential is more than 86 times that of CO2 over a 20-year period, and 34 times that of CO2over a 100-year period. Gas leakage can occur during the extraction, production, processing, storage, transmission and distribution of natural gas.

How do we best respond to such profound threats to our health and land from fracking?

The precautionary principle urges caution when considering risks to human health and the environment that supports us. Invoking this principle can lead to better health outcomes for the community, economic development that supports rather than places human lives at risk and to striking innovation opportunities. For example, NT has immense capacity for renewable energy, including solar and wind, and it could be a global leader in clean energy technology.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

13 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Dr Rosalie Schultz is a Northern Territory GP and public health physician, and a member of Doctors for the Environment Australia

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Rosalie Schultz
Article Tools
Comment 13 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy