What the Frack?!

If you’ve been keeping up with environmental news lately, then you know all about fracking. If you’re one of those in the dark, I’ll shed a little light on this term. No, it’s not that cool word that not-so-subtly replaced a certain “more colorful” word in the Stargate SG1 universe. Fracking is the oil industry’s answer to how to get more oil now. Short for hydraulic fracturing, this process forces more oil out of the Earth’s crust utilizing significant amounts of one of our most important resources: water. A mixture of water, sand, and various chemicals is forcibly injected into the ground to release contained oil into wells for consumer use. Sure, the chemicals used in this process may contaminate our water, air, and even our bodies, but in a world so dependent on this resource, what are our other options? What can we, as individuals, do to protect our Earth for ourselves and future generations?

There are many options we have as consumers and citizens of this country. On a personal level, we can take steps to become less fuel-dependent in our own lives. If you can avoid using an automobile, do so. We all know the days of $1.89/gallon gas prices are long gone, so the less we use is not only the better for our environment, but also for our wallets. If you can grow your own produce, this also cuts back on gas usage, because your food source is right outside the door! Think about the gas saved by not visiting the supermarket. Better yet, consider the amount saved if less produce is imported into our country to get to that supermarket. Don’t want to give up some of your favorite fruits and veggies? You might be surprised to find out what can be easily grown in your area. If space is an issue, there are ways to make the most of the limited area you have. Innovations like raised beds and window box, rooftop, and keyhole gardens prove that less can mean more.

Thinking about trading your set of wheels for a more fuel-efficient ride? While a noble intent, car emissions are only a fraction of the problem. If you want to tackle a bigger beast, agriculture is where it’s at. Of course we still need food in order to survive, but we should make choices that reflect our local environment. We only have one planet and it’s becoming harder to deny the damage that we’ve done to it and the effects on our own health. If we don’t take the necessary actions to offset how we affect nature, there may be a lot less of it, and a lot sooner than we’re equipped to handle. When it comes to our food supply and the future, oil and water just don’t mix.