Scottish consultation into unconventional gas extraction methods set to close on 31 May
ENVIRONMENTALISTS are urging people to use the last hours of the Scottish Government’s consultation into fracking to make their voices heard.
The consultation, which is expected to be in receipt of around 40,000 submissions objecting to the introduction of fracking, will close tomorrow
Around 30 local organisations and community groups in Scotland are also expected to have submitted critical consultation responses by the time of the closing of the consultation tomorrow.
The Scottish Government currently imposes a moratorium on fracking, which is a form of unconventional gas extraction, involving the hydraulic fracturing of rocks deep underground to release small amounts of natural gas. However, campaigners are calling on the public to demand an outright permanent ban, due to fears over the safety and environmental impact of fracking procedures.
Mary Church, head of campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland (FOES) said: “Time is running out for people to respond to the consultation on fracking. We need to make sure that all our voices are heard to send a loud and clear message to the Scottish Government that we reject fracking in Scotland.
Take part – You can take part in the consultation through the official portal here
“Allowing fracking to go ahead would undermine our efforts to tackle climate change, as well as endangering workers and public health, and pose serious risks to the local environment.
“Communities and groups across Scotland have been working hard for months telling people about the fracking consultation and urging them to respond. There’s been a tremendous effort with streets stalls, film screenings, theatre pieces and public meetings to raise awareness and get the word out there.
“There has been a huge response to the consultation so far with tens of thousands taking action online or signing postcards urging the Government to ban fracking for good. We would strongly encourage everyone to take five minutes today and put in a response. There are plenty of places online to take action quickly or you can visit the Government website and write in your own words why you don’t want fracking to go ahead in Scotland.”
Fresh concerns were raised yesterday (29 May) over the impact of fracking on workers, as evidence from over 150 reports, drawn together by digital campaigning site by 38 degrees, was used to claim a link between fracking methods and conditions including leukaemia.
Read more – UK Gov under fire for sale of Scots Green investment bank to fracking investors
Fracking methods have been accused by critics of leading to environmental damage including pollution for toxins used in the fracking process and subsidence, earthquakes and other seismic activity.
In addition to the consultation responses around 20,000 people have already signed a petition calling on the Scottish Government to exchange its moratorium for an outright ban of fracking techniques in favour of expanding Scotland’s ongoing revolution in renewable green energy sources.
Picture courtesy of Ric Lander
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