Synthesis: EPA: Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination

Recent EPA findings in central Wyoming have linked hydraulic fracturing of the earth by natural gas companies to ground water contamination. The process of fracking is “the propagation of fractures in a rock layer, as a result of the action of a pressurized fluid” (Wikipedia). This opens up a hole which allows gas companies to access natural gas deposits in the earth. EPA tests in the city of Pavillion, Wyoming have tested positive for chemicals known to be used in the fracking process. Samples showed traces of synthetic compounds, like glycol ethers, in addition to many other organic compounds used for fracking. The town has been facing dirtied brown drinking water since fracking began in the area. The natural gas companies actually began providing water to local residents to continue their drilling. As the issue became even greater, The EPA declared the drinking water no longer suitable for consumption and warned the public about the production of flammable methane in the water.

            The gas companies deny the release of hydraulic liquids and insist the process is safe and prevents any contamination. They claim any contamination is from oil and gas waste pits left by previous companies. These companies refuse to release the composition of their hydraulic fluid, so it is unclear whether the contaminates found are a match. Despite this, the topic has come to the attention of Washington. Debates have broken out in Congress, with some politicians dismissing it as preposterous while others push for the regulation of the fracking process. It can be assumed that regulations on fracking will soon be much tighter for the sake of human health.

            While we still have an insatiable need for natural resources such as natural gas, these resources must be acquired in a safe manner with minimal interruption to the earth or ecosystems. It is unfair and immoral to tear up the earth in search of gas, poisoning the soil and the drinking water of local residences. I have no problem with enacting restrictions on fracking to maintain a safe and clean drinking water supply. As the push is made towards renewable sources of energy are made, the need for natural gas and fracking will begin to decline, and water systems will no longer be in danger of contamination. Even so, until this point is reached, great care must be taken to prevent tainting the only source of fresh water for many people across the globe.

Works Cited

"Hydraulic Fracturing." Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Sept. 2012.

Lustgarten, Abrahm, Nicholas Kusnetz, and ProPublica. "EPA: Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination." Scientific American. Nature America, Inc., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012.

Towards Ecopedagogy and discussion

In his essay Towards Ecopedagogy, Richard Kahn challenges the classic system of capitalism in America and other superpowers and the current methods of environmental education. Kahn challenges capitalism by claiming that it entitles the wealthy countries of the world to continue expanding and promoting themselves as other countries remain in poverty, unable to offer goods or natural resources to sell or trade. Capitalist societies also encourage classism. Those born into a certain class will find it very difficult to rise to a higer class, mainly due to the monetary situation of the family with respect to their class, but also because of education and social acceptance. In addition, Kahn criticizes current environmental education standards and the concept of a "zoo school". He points out the fact that students of a "zoo school" are simply learning the basic facts of wild animals contained in captivity. In reality, he believes students should also be educated upon the inhumanity of the idea of a zoo and petition to prevent the captivity of wild animals, like dolphins, which, instead, patrons could pay $150 to swim with. This promotes his next point, that zoos run on corporate and monetary interests. Students should discourage this and instead learn proper environmental necessities, such as humane diets. Additionally, rather than focusing on improving grades, environmental education should be focused on bioregionalism, environmental awareness, and true sustainability for the planet.

Visual Rhetoric

This use of visual rhetoric shows a jet made out of grass with leaves trailing as exhaust from the engines. This example gives a strong meaning without a single word. The picture represents green, environmentally friendly technology in airliners, The goal is to reduce or eliminate environmentally damaging exhaust from the engines and waste and liquids from the plane to reduce greenhouse gases in the environment. People are not motivated to read long paragraphs of text attempting to convince them to be greener. However, a visual rhetoric like this captures the viewers attention and gets the same point across that the paragraph is trying to.

"Front Lines", "It Pleases" and "O Waters"

“Front Lines”

The poem “Front Lines” concerns the destruction and development of forests. The poem begins by describing the clearing and logging of trees as a cancer, washing up the hills like an ocean swell. Reality companies bring potential customers out in vehicles to see the land. A bulldozer clears the land of the recently felled trees. There is a forest and desert behind this that leads to the Arctic, and Snyder believes this is where the destruction must stop. Snyder evokes a strong sense of hatred for the logging by using the metaphor of cancer, a disease which spreads through the body and is despised by all. He also shows his disgust for the bulldozer by describing it as grinding, slobbering and belching over still alive trees. This poem leads the reader to see the deforestation process as evil ant to stop it as it is now.

“It Pleases”

“It Pleases” is about the fact that big government does not control the entire world. While all of the high brass in Washington D.C. believe they run the entire country, they don’t. The Earth is free to do as it wishes. The bird is a representation of this, soaring freely over the capitol without interference from Congress.

“O Waters”

This poem seems to be about a person in a campsite, awake while their partner slumbers. He is sitting, letting the various aspects of nature wash over him like water. He sees and hears the activities of nature, such as the melting of snow and the buildup of soil as a result of the wind. He embellishes these actions and respects the Earth for it’s complexity.

Turtle Island #2

"Steak"

The poem "Steak" focuses on steak houses and the people that eat there. Snyder points out the irony of the big steak houses with signs of happy cartoon cows or hefty prime cows, standing over the pieces of beef that are sliced, grilled and consumed. He puts emphasis on the word "rare" as if to say that rare is simply a title given to meat to put aside the fact that it is simply the raw muscle of another animal. He shows that all kinds of people eat steak at the houses, even animal nutrition experts with Buddhist beads. Then he shows what the true source of the steak is: the hundreds of livestock standing in frozen mud, eating old grain. The cattle seem to have no purpose in life other than becoming a meal. The entire poem points out the vast differences between what we the consumers believe and what really happens in the process.

“By Frazier Creek Falls”

“By Frazier Creek Falls” is about sensing nature and being a part of it. Snyder puts the reader standing on a cliff, looking into a valley. A waterfall falls nearby into the valley. He takes beauty even in the small things, such as the breeze blowing through the pine needles. He writes as if the land is alive. Snyder wants to remind the people that they are part of nature and they must embrace and respect the rest of it. He claims that we could live on earth without clothes or tools. Since we came from using nothing, we can go back.

“Rain in Alleghany”

This poem represents Snyder’s passion for Alleghany California. The area, seemingly mountainous, contains narrow, twisty roads wrapping around rivers along the way. When he is weary from his travels, Snyder enjoys sitting in Allegheny, drinking a beer and listening to the rain. He shows how one of his favorite things is to embrace nature with company. 

"Anasazi", The Way West, Underground" and "The Dead By The Side Of The Road".

This entry covers the reading of "Anasazi", "The Way West, Underground” and "The Dead By The Side Of The Road".

"Anasazi" is a descriptive poem relating to the Anasazi People of the Four Corners area of the United States. The poem uses short phrases to describe the basic environment and way of life for the Anasazi's, stating living conditions and resources. The poem was extremely hard to follow unless it was understood that the Anasazi were Pueblo people. “Anasazi” presents a native people living off the land and retaining their customs and traditions.

            “The Way West, Underground” speaks of the wilderness and primitive people of many different locations around the world. It describes the forests of Oregon, the islands of Japan, the women of Tibet and the people of Finland. Gary Snyder then focuses on Western Europe, where there are no bears. There are just men racing in the streets with guns. The only wild left in the area is bears and bison painted in caves from a people long gone. He may be suggesting that this is how all of the wilderness will end up before long.

            “The Dead By The Side Of The Road” mentions several great animals found dead by the side of the road, most struck by cars with one doe shot. Snyder is perplexed how these creatures could be so easily struck and left to die without a care. He collects the animals and skins them, cooking and eating the meat while saving the skins for bags and pouches. He shows his disgust by stating that roads were laid to kill them, and reminding the reader that the logging truck that struck the fawn was running on fossil fuels. Snyder believes the car in its present form is an evil that is not worth the lives of so many animals struck on the roadside.