Some places in the US are seeing large increases in the number of people who are using bicycles to get from one place to another. And cities are having to react to this increase so that everyone - bikers, pedestrians, and drivers - can get where they need to go without causing injuries. Unfortunately, in some cases this has turned into a very unproductive Us vs. Them battle.
In terms of keeping bicycling safe, both sides need to do their part. Bikers need to obey traffic laws, watch out for cars and pedestrians, and make sure that they can be seen at all times. It is very infuriating to have to stop suddenly or swerve because a bicyclist has run a traffic light or stop sign, and this can create ill will toward all bikers.
Drivers need to watch out for bikers and make sure that they don't encroach or take over bike lanes (where they exist). When driving a car, it's important to remember that if an accident happens it's the bike rider who is going to bear the brunt of the impact.
I've linked here to a funny video about bike lanes in NYC - hopefully it can serve as a good reminder that drivers and bikers need to be aware of each other. Simple respect for others goes a long way - hopefully I can remember this the next time I am out on the road, car or bike.
7/4/11
Jargon Explained - Fracking
As with many other professions, the world of environmental uses a lot of jargon and special terms that folks outside the industry might not know the definition of. One term that continues to get a lot of use is "Fracking".
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing - the full name, is a term used to describe a technique for getting more stuff out of a well. Certain types of rock can lock valuable materials, such as water, oil or natural gas, into small pores or pockets. In order to be able to pump this material out of the ground, hydraulic fracturing is used. First, water and a mix of chemicals are pumped into a well at high pressure. This fluid helps form cracks, or fractures, in the rock, which opens up the small pores. After the fracturing fluid is recovered, the fractures in the rock allow the material to be pumped out of the ground through the well. You can get additional information from US EPA and Wikipedia.
Right now, natural gas companies are turning to fracking more and more to help unlock large deposits of natural gas. Previously, either the technology didn't exist, or it wasn't economical for these companies to try to extract these gas deposits. But as demand grows and technology advances, more and more areas are being considered for natural gas extraction. And with that growth comes two primary concerns - both have to do with water.
First, it takes water to make hydraulic fracturing work. Depending on where the well is located, that could be a problem. In areas where there is a shortage of water, hydraulic fracturing will likely come into conflict with farmers, ranchers, and families that also have a claim on the water. And if the water is being pulled from an underground aquifer faster than the aquifer can be replenished , there could be long term consequences. A recent blog post at Grist highlights this issue as it plays out in Texas.
The other concern is in regards to the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing. In some cases, the gas companies won't reveal exactly what chemicals they are using. This lack of transparency concerns environmental groups and nearby residents who are concerned that exposure to the chemicals could cause health problems (to humans or animals). There is also concern that if the chemical and water mix isn't properly captured, nearby water supplies (such as rivers, lakes, and aquifers) could become contaminated and be unusable for drinking water or irrigation. In some cases, this concern has led to action - the New Jersey legislature recently passed a ban on hydraulic fracturing.
There are still a lot of unknowns surrounding the use of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas extraction. While US EPA and other groups try to answer the questions, we as individuals need to keep ourselves informed. If you happen to live in an area where hydraulic fracturing is ongoing or possible, this is definitely one to keep your eye on. And be sure to get involved and contact your elected officials - make your voice heard! As with any issue, knowledge is power!
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing - the full name, is a term used to describe a technique for getting more stuff out of a well. Certain types of rock can lock valuable materials, such as water, oil or natural gas, into small pores or pockets. In order to be able to pump this material out of the ground, hydraulic fracturing is used. First, water and a mix of chemicals are pumped into a well at high pressure. This fluid helps form cracks, or fractures, in the rock, which opens up the small pores. After the fracturing fluid is recovered, the fractures in the rock allow the material to be pumped out of the ground through the well. You can get additional information from US EPA and Wikipedia.
Right now, natural gas companies are turning to fracking more and more to help unlock large deposits of natural gas. Previously, either the technology didn't exist, or it wasn't economical for these companies to try to extract these gas deposits. But as demand grows and technology advances, more and more areas are being considered for natural gas extraction. And with that growth comes two primary concerns - both have to do with water.
First, it takes water to make hydraulic fracturing work. Depending on where the well is located, that could be a problem. In areas where there is a shortage of water, hydraulic fracturing will likely come into conflict with farmers, ranchers, and families that also have a claim on the water. And if the water is being pulled from an underground aquifer faster than the aquifer can be replenished , there could be long term consequences. A recent blog post at Grist highlights this issue as it plays out in Texas.
The other concern is in regards to the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing. In some cases, the gas companies won't reveal exactly what chemicals they are using. This lack of transparency concerns environmental groups and nearby residents who are concerned that exposure to the chemicals could cause health problems (to humans or animals). There is also concern that if the chemical and water mix isn't properly captured, nearby water supplies (such as rivers, lakes, and aquifers) could become contaminated and be unusable for drinking water or irrigation. In some cases, this concern has led to action - the New Jersey legislature recently passed a ban on hydraulic fracturing.
There are still a lot of unknowns surrounding the use of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas extraction. While US EPA and other groups try to answer the questions, we as individuals need to keep ourselves informed. If you happen to live in an area where hydraulic fracturing is ongoing or possible, this is definitely one to keep your eye on. And be sure to get involved and contact your elected officials - make your voice heard! As with any issue, knowledge is power!
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