Energy Minister Fergus Ewing announced that the moratorium would stand until “a full public consultation on unconventional oil and gas extraction” had been initiated and completed.
A week later, more good news: the Welsh government also voted to block fracking until it is proven safe for the environment and public health. Note: It cannot be proved safe, since it is everything but.
Neither of these initiatives is an outright ban, but in New York state, years of citizen campaigning led to a similar moratorium, and finally last month to a ban.
For a close look at the dirty business of fracking, see Bold Scientists. Scroll down to chapter 10, The unsolved problem.
Canadian writer and documentary-maker Michael Riordon writes/
directs/produces books and articles, audio, video and film documentaries, plays for radio and stage.
A primary goal of his work is to recover voices and stories of people who have been silenced or marginalized, written out of the official version: First Nations (aboriginal) youth, Mozambican farmers, inmates in Canadian prisons, traditional healers in Fiji, queer folk across Canada, Guatemalan labour activists.
Michael also leads courses, workshops and seminars for community organizations, trade unions, schools, colleges and universities.
Michael Riordon 