·       The battle of Balcombe, misinformation and not much on climate change: a week in shale gas, see http://www.carbonbrief.org/blog/2013/08/a-week-in-shale-gas?utm_source=buffer&utm_campaign=Buffer&utm_content=buffer1af29&utm_medium=twitter

·       what is going on locally, see the Greater Manchester Minerals Plan http://www.gmmineralsplan.co.uk/index.html

·       more information about fracking http://www.scribd.com/doc/55017665/The-Tyndall-Report-on-Fracking

·       The Tyndall Report points out that while shale gas is being promoted as a transition route to a low carbon future, available evidence indicates that it is likely to be used in addition to other fossil fuel reserves and add a further carbon burden. If investment in shale gas were to delay the necessary investment in zero and very low carbon technologies this would be greater. The potential of investment in renewables to create jobs, guarantee safe energy and mitigate climate change is the Steady State option. For a very well researched report of this option, see http://zerocarbonbritain.com/

Here is the campaign information from Greenpeace in italics below:

As you read this, people in Sussex are blockading a proposed fracking site near the village of Balcombe, trying to stop drilling equipment from entering.

Balcombe is the fracking frontline and what’s happening there could soon be happening in your area.

Big energy companies are lining up to start fracking operations throughout the UK and there are a huge number of proposed sites. Already, 64% of England is under consideration for fracking so they could soon be coming to a field near you.

But you can stop the fracking before it starts. Local councils have to give planning permission before drilling can begin and are obliged to take your views into account. E-mail your local councillors to tell them you do not want fracking near you

Fracking – or hydraulic fracturing – is a destructive and dirty process using a mixture of water and chemicals to blast rocks and release trapped gas and oil. Not only have these chemicals been linked to water contamination, but burning more gas pumps more carbon pollution into the air which warms the planet further, melting the Arctic faster and destabilising our weather systems even more.

Perhaps the biggest scandal is that the government is bending over backwards to kickstart the fracking industry. George Osborne, the Conservative chancellor, has more than halved the amount of money that frackers have to pay in tax, even though it will do nothing to lower our energy bills. [1]  Similarly, Prime Minister Cameron has said the country  needs ‘to get behind fracking’: in his Telegraph piece there is not a mention of climate change [3].  So our greenest government ever is objectively speaking in deep climate change denial.

And Cuadrilla – the lead company trying to drill in Balcombe – has said a fracking “boom” would have an “insignificant effect” on gas prices. [2]

There’s still time to stop fracking in your neighbourhood.

Your local council can stop energy companies from drilling and fracking near you. Even if your area isn’t currently being considered for fracking, now is the time to take a stand and E-mail your local councillors to tell them you do not want fracking near you

As well as contacting your local councillors; you may want to contact your MP about this issue.

https://secure.greenpeace.org.uk/page/m/58307ca8/6409f5e9/62c4ed4d/205392cd/190485602/VEsD/p/eyJKU1ZhU1ZBbEpRPT0iOiJNMTYgOVJIIn0=/
You can see which areas are affected so far, here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AlcEvov1OlyHdEp5bThKaE45RXZaMVJyWkt3a1NLU1E&usp=sharing

[1] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23368505

[2] http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/cuadrilla-pr-man-admits-george-osbornes-shale-gas-revolution-wont-cut-energy-bills-8656246.html

[3]  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10236664/We-cannot-afford-to-miss-out-on-shale-gas.html