Much hot air has been generated about the claims by Labour's Deputy Energy Minister and ex-Greenpeace activist, Baroness Worthington, that environmentalists should 'think again' about their blanket opposition to fracking (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34191713). She correctly notes that the gas extracted in the UK would have a lower carbon footprint than comparable material imported from the Middle East. But I don't think this is really the point. UK fracking would cause disturbances (and possible damage) to populations and locations nearby (the UK is quite a crowded island and is unlike locations where the procedure has been used in the USA). Burning the gas produces carbon dioxide at a time when we should be making every effort to reduce its use. Cheaper gas would, I feel, make reductions in carbon dioxide emissions less likely and removes some of the incentives to improve home insulation and to generate electricity by means that do not involve the extractions of hydrocarbons. Perhaps the 'jobs' card is being played? I actually feel that more jobs could be generated by the alternatives.
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