The Great Fracking Debate…

Hi Class!  It’s time for civilized arguing. You’ve read about fracking and have explored both sides of the issue. Now it is time to take a stand. Are you in favour of or opposed to natural gas fracking?

Post a paragraph stating your position. First, organize your arguments logically, then present them with great linking words and phrases and other linking words and phrases. Make an impact, you are trying to convince people your view is the best.

Obviously, we all think our ideas are the best if we want to win the debate, so the next step is to cross examine or counter the arguments made by others that go against your position. Ask questions, provide counter arguments, and try to find ways to change their minds.  You are expected to reply to all questions posed in your thread. Similarly, you may give support to threads sharing your view as well.

Finally, in a week or two, you will have the last word. Make closing remarks whereby you restate your position, acknowledge the counter arguments made then explain (convincingly) why they are incorrect.

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332 Responses to The Great Fracking Debate…

  1. melissa says:

    I am for the fracking because it supports jobs for us and it has made new technology easier to use. Its booming in parts of Canada and the USA also natural gases are cleaner then coal or oil on the other hand shale gas isn’t as clean as conventional natural gases. It will provide enough natural gas to supply north America for the next 100years never the less it is a new method of extracting gas is making hundreds of thousands of jobs. People might say we don’t have an endless supply of water and we don’t but rain makes water snow makes water they also say that living near wells can give you headaches, nausea, and others just from the smell solution put the wells somewhere far away from q house. (there may be spelling mistakes Otto correct on my phone)

    • Kelsey says:

      I get what you are saying but what will happen to our animals, air and our water, will fracking make it polluted? We don’t want to chance putting our world in danger. Besides fracking can cause earthquakes, lots of pollution and much more.

      • Kobe says:

        It will only make tiny earth quacks

        • kayla says:

          But still that’s not all that could happen theres much more than that.

          • cassie says:

            Your right Kayla.

          • melissa says:

            true very true but if we have wells then animals can drink from there and still have a healthy habitat. It’s not like we are taking away there privileges for water. I believe that our air will stay the same because its not the end of the world and fracking isn’t going to make a difference in our o zone layer. Doesn’t water run on a cycle ? so how would our water disappear ? there is a lot of water we can’t just get rid of it without making more of it. We won’t put our world in danger because there is nothing dangerous about fracking. Like kobe said it will only cause TINY earth quakes not giant earth quakes. much more ? how much more ? pretty much nothing more.

        • Kelsey says:

          Yes but as I said what happens after 100 earth quakes does a big one come

      • cassie says:

        I agree with you Kelcy good point and i don;t agree with you Melissa because just like Kelcy said it will pollute the air and danger the animals.

        • kayla says:

          not just the air but it could pollute our water too.I’m not saying it will happen but it could.

        • melissa says:

          How would it in danger the animals ? It won’t because we are not taking animals rights away to water privileges we are simply just putting 19million L. in one well but we will probably have more then one well in the world.

          • kayla says:

            Well of coarse and ya how will that hurt animal? i think i’m changing my mind about the fracking thing i was against it but now that i think about it…

          • Gabrielle says:

            After 100 years there are probably going to be many generations in our family. Don’t you want then to have a safe environment. Better than what we have?

    • sydney says:

      Yes it does but have you thought of the environment causes it could damage all the habitat?

    • Kobe says:

      I’m with Melissa’s say on this one because it can lead to newer electricity

    • kayla says:

      Think about the environment and our water supply sure it supports for the next 100 years but what will happen after that? And if fracking does happen it could poison our water and we end up drinking it same with the animals and everything living needs it to survive. I get what you’re saying but even if you do move the wells it will not get rid of the problem forever.

    • Gabrielle says:

      Melissa what happens after that 100 years? We will eventually run out of water if we don’t stop with fracking

      (a question from Gabby reposted to your thread)

      • melissa says:

        Water runs on a never ending cycle so how would we run out of water if we just keep making more ?

    • Mr. Bell says:

      Wouldn’t you agree there needs to be more effort in developing renewable sources of energy? What long term benefits come from burning more fuel?

    • Jillian says:

      I agree with you! Jobs, energy, 100 years is not very long, but at least with fracking we will have those 100 years to find another way to make energy.

    • Shaleyea says:

      There is also a bad side towards fracking. Many reports were given that methane gas has traveled into the tap water local to the fracking sites, which is extremely harmful if too much is ingested. Plus the airborne chemicals that the companies use is causing many different symptoms to those who live near. Those symptoms can be even more harmful to the elderly, and those who are already sick.

    • Gabrielle says:

      How did it make technology easier?

    • Kira says:

      Melissa, what about the animals what about your dog. It might drink from a puddle then it could get sick but your for fracking so it’s OK.

    • Dylan says:

      but did you know if this causes 38 earth quakes a year it will cause 3800 in 100 years and Mr bell posted thats there is 500,000 earth quakes a year and half cant be felt but still we have the sun to provide we have wind and water to give us electricity and its all 100% green and fracking will harm us think if we can over come it just think what it will do to baby s and small animals and maybe some big one so it will harm lots of thing but again thats my a pinyin

    • melissa says:

      I was strongly for fracking and i still am no one has changed my mind yet. people say what about the animals and what about earthquakes well animals will still have a natural habitat and the earth quakes aren’t very big they will be minor and won’t last long. Our animals are not in danger its not like we are taking away there privileges to drink. the earth quakes are minor and they won’t cause that much damage to the earth. I am for fracking because it will help with our earth and make our earth better It will improve jobs and it will make the earth better to live at and people will love the earth even more.

  2. Kelsey says:

    I believe fracking is a horrible idea. Why I think this is because it’s taking LOTS of water out of our rivers and putting it into a well. When we do this many gases are going into the water. The people who are for fracking say that they clean the water before relicing it again but how do we know that. we don’t know what they did with the water. What if the water transplant can’t clean the water now and they just dump it back in. It will just harm animals and pollute our water that we drink. Plus it uses 19 million Litters of water each time. If you really think about it thats wrecking our whole environment just to get energy for 100 years. Remember how I said what they would we do if they can’t clean the water well… they could easily put it under ground and then what. If they do that the earth will have little earthquakes. But what happens next after 100 mini earthquakes comes a BIG one. And so you can probably tell I am conpleatly against fracking

    • Mr. Bell says:

      Wouldn’t you agree that we treat our drinking water already? It is possible to make water safe with science.

      • Kelsey says:

        Well we do clean our water but what if after fracking, our water processer can’t handle the new chemicals

        • Mr. Bell says:

          This would be a terrific opportunity for innovation to take place! We would be forced to think of new ways to improve our water quality or build more treatment plants. Either option is a positive don’t you agree?

    • cassie says:

      I really agree with you Kelcy your right because we really don’t know what they do with the water maybe they don’t even clean the water at all and we will be drinking dirty water for a long time that would be really grouse.

    • Kira says:

      I totally agree with you Kelsey

    • Kelsey says:

      After so many weeks of debating I am still strongly against it. Why I’m against it is I don’t think it’s good for our environment and it won’t be good. I am also very worried about if they clean the water before relising it because it could harm us and our children. Many people where debating with me but I fought till the end. If you don’t know who is relising the water they might just do something bad with it. This world could come to something much worse then what others say. Like what will happen if our cattle drinks the bad water and we eat it then we get poisoned we don’t know what we are feeding our animals. This is my last post and I know this is the right answer.

      Officially signed off, Kelsey

  3. sydney says:

    I am absolutely opposed to Fracking. Why did they choose for the environment. Everybody will probably get sick from drinking the water because they put tiny particles of chemicals in it when they dig because there becomes fissures. Fissures are cracks in spaces where are water runs and when they drill the revolting chemicals release and make our water poisonous. You now how much water it needs? our grandkids are’nt going to survive they be to dehydrated to live. It uses 19 million litres of water from each well. Then the left over wastewater they leave and the chemicals pollute the air. If they don’t put the water back in the river or lake then they will put it back in the ground and it will make earthquakes. See all of these reasons are bad for the environment. Although people say there are benefits. Health inspector says that they will not dump the wastewater into the drinking water but who nows we don’t have surveillance cameras on them 24/7. Energy is the big picture for the people who are building the project up. If we do this we might….. have water for the next 100 years. Enough to supply until were dead. Imagine what we are using now coal and or oil but what we would use in 10 years in natural clean air. With the new technology that we have built it will make fracking easier. So if you are for or against it being yes for something that could kill our environment totally not great. Thats why I am against the fracking project.

    • Kels says:

      I totally agree with you! Your points are right, the chemicals are very bad for you

    • Mr. Bell says:

      Wouldn’t you agree that the planet’s surface is mostly covered in water? More should be done to find ways to use all of the water on our planet. We have the ability to clean our water, so why is there this fear about fracking?

      • sydney says:

        Because all the the chemicals are bad. Would you want your own kids getting sick or die from drinking the water from fracking?

        • Mr. Bell says:

          Any chemical used in excessive amounts is dangerous to one’s health – would you agree? For instance waste water in Kamloops (from toilets, sinks, tubs…) is treated with chlorine before being put back into the river. Chlorine can be a dangerous chemical if use improperly, but because the water is treated and tested, it is considered safe for human consumption. Why would the chemicals used for fracking be any worse knowing that the water will be treated?

          • sydney says:

            Yes but you can never insure that they fully clean any of the water around here. Have you ever felt sick after drinking water. Kids that got riverside they pee in the water so when you drink it your getting there chemicals.

            • Mr. Bell says:

              When water causes someone to become ill, they seek treatment do they not? This is exactly what is done to the fracking water – it gets treated. Should kids and water parks be banned too?

              • sydney says:

                No they shouldn’t be banned because kids don’t drink the water. Although if they do stay in the water to long the chemicals could soak into there skin. Adults have a harder immune system so there body fights it off faster and harder. If baby’s were to go in the water and get sick there immune systems would not work as hard and they could dye.

      • Gabrielle says:

        Mr.Bell I don’t think we even know how water got on planets.

      • Jillian says:

        Interesting song Sydney, if you are trying to get the point across for “No Fracking”

    • sydney says:

      I am still absolutely considerably opposed to fracking. It brings danger to our land and is harmful to our air. Who wants that? Did you ever consider the things that would happen to our land. I watched a video last night about how everything’s dying and it is it catastrophic. You see our land will be a black hole before you now it that’s why all this 100 years of energy will wreck our world. The drinking water is never fully and we get sick you think the flu is bad think of acids and pollution in your body that is so bad for you. It seems like a good idea now but in 50 years our world will come to an end because of us. Thats why we have to make a difference and change our ways. Take a stand go againist fracking and show people what our world is coming to. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsrfmFukBT0

  4. Kobe says:

    I’m with Fracking because it can give Canada energy for up to 100 years. And natural gas is cleaner then oil,and coil. I also think that Fracking is a good idea because when they are Fracking it can only create tiny earth quacks. It well give North America hundreds of thousands of jobs.

    • serena says:

      it could be really bad for the environment and it uses allot of water.

    • Mr. Bell says:

      Wouldn’t a renewable source of energy be better to create jobs? Imagine, if the energy does not run out, neither do the jobs! What will happen to future generations of people in the fracking industry when all of the gas runs out?

      • Kobe says:

        I would say that Fracking is good because by the time one hounder years is up we would. Have so many jobs that we wouldn’t have to worry about it.

    • sydney says:

      Yes but can you think about he environment for the animals that it would give them or us for that matter. All theses chemicals are bad for us people can dye faster and we would look like shrivelled old prunes.

    • spencer says:

      I agree. because everyone is worried about the earth quacks but they are only small.

    • JaXs0N says:

      but these tiny earth quacks will do nothing to harm anyone and we will be fine.

    • drew says:

      Great key points Kobe I agree with you that it will create jobs. But for people in Canada, and it will not only supply Canada with energy but th e whole of North America.

    • Gabrielle says:

      People would like jobs but I don’t think they would like our environment ruined.

    • cassie says:

      Yeah but what about all the poor animals there habitats I love animals and I don’t want there habitat ruined by fracking and it will pollute the environment and other stuff like that.

    • Kobe says:

      I’m gonna stay with Fracking because by the time our 100 years is up. We would have some much energy that we wouldn’t have to worry about and we would also some many jobs. That Canada and north America would be able to look after it’s own country.

      • Mr. Bell says:

        Quick Fix: Use “going to” when writing rather than “gonna”. When speaking people often say “gonna”, but when writing for school, use “going to”.

    • Jake says:

      200 years kobe

  5. JaXs0N says:

    I have maximum percent for fracking because it is another way for energy and the world needs more energy. It’s also a really easy way to get energy and it will last us until another brilliant person figures a new way. The fracking method is also really safe for people.

    • Shace shahbazi says:

      I’m with JaXsoN it is safe for people and the world needs energy

    • kayla says:

      Unless we run out of water in the next 100 years because fracking takes allot of water.

    • spencer says:

      Jaxson I agree you raise some really good points.

    • Mr. Bell says:

      Would the brilliant people be best served finding a renewable source of energy? If they are so brilliant, why are they developing a resource that will only last a century?

      Isn’t it also true that burning fossil fuels damages the ozone regardless of how ‘clean’ the gas is? At least the fracking industry will have enough water for the wells when they melt all of the glaciers and the coasts disappear under water. Don’t you agree?

    • Kira says:

      Yes, it safe for people but not our animals so your saying its ok to kill all the animal but not to kill humans now that is wrong the animal have as much right to live as we do?

    • Shaleyea says:

      You say it’s safe for humans, but is it safe for the animals as well? The harsh chemicals they use to cleans the water can result in sickness and even death for some animals.

    • JaXs0N says:

      I am still for fracking because it’s a good way for energy. Also it is good for people that don’t have much money so they can frack and make more money for there families. 100 years is a long time for people to find a new energy source, so in that 100 years we could find a new way to make energy.

  6. kayla says:

    I am against fracking. First of all there are lots of toxic fumes and theres way more bad things that could come from this than there is good..It is a big health risk even though the natural gas is cleaner the chemicals they use could end up polluting out water supply.It does supply for 100 year but by going green it could last forever.I think one big problem is the wastewater theres allot of it.The wastewater is radioactive and very poisonous.Imagine if that wastewater ended up in our water we drink . Is it really worth doing even though it all this could happen?

    Thats why I am against Fracking and think it’s a bad idea.

    • RAYNE says:

      Awesome, I agree!

    • Mr. Bell says:

      Wouldn’t you agree that there are plenty of toxic fumes in our atmosphere already – car exhaust, factory emissions, even the smoke from home furnaces and fireplaces? Why all of a sudden are these fumes to be treated differently than all the rest?

      • kayla says:

        Because I think there safer than the ones from fracking. they can cause nausea and other symptoms.Has anybody ever had symptoms from any of the toxic fumes you pointed out? And we do have allot of toxic fumes already but with fracking there will be even more.

    • Jillian says:

      We already have lots of toxins in the air already, don’t you agree?? So ow is fracking any different?

    • cassie says:

      Your super right kayla that is a fantastic debate and I totally agree with you!

    • kayla says:

      I changed my mind I am all for fracking.Because some people have some really good point that I never really thought about before.I wasn’t really thinking about the good things about fracking.Everyone is mostly concerned about the animals and environment but how will it effect them? they will be effected just as much as us and by the 100 years if it does effect the animals somebody can figure out a way to stop the methane gas and toxins from polluting. and about the 100 years most of us will be dead and our children would be grown up and with the way we are figuring out technology by the time 100 years is over another genius will come and figure out a new way.Also some people are saying that fracking uses allot of water and we will eventually run out well I don’t think it will because water has a cycle and also people who are worried about the earth quakes but they’re only TINY and they could get bigger but like i said before we are figuring out new technologies fast so if they do get bigger maybe somebody can find a way to stop them And they might NOT get bigger either.

  7. serena says:

    I am against fracking because it could hurt our animals and get them sick if they drink from the rivers or the lakes and even creeks. With all the pollution that would go into the air it could destroy our atmosphere and our o zone. It could pollute our drinking water and we could get sick from it. With it hurting our animals with them drinking polluted water it could get them sick and that could kill them. If our animals started to die it wold effect our food chain and then it would affect us and that could lead to possibly killing us. We use water to water our plants with but if the water was polluted it would start to kill our plants and our plants give us most of the things our food is made of and without that stuff we would have no food. Our animals provide meat for us and if they started to get sick and die from the water and the pollution in the air then we would start to loose our meet which is our source of protein and we need protein to survive and stay healthy. If they do fracking like they plan to then we and our animals would not survive because of the pollution would destroy our atmosphere and our o zone then we would not be able to breath and then we would all die.

    • spencer says:

      But fracking is really helpful and it wouldn’t affect the animals that much and the affecting our drinking water isn’t true because we have water filters that take all of the bad stuff out of the water before we drink it. Also if a couple animals die it’s not going to affect our food chain it’s not a big deal. The fracking isn’t going to kill every animal on earth so we can’t get any protein at all.

    • Mr. Bell says:

      So it’s okay to harm animals for food but not for energy is what you are saying?

      Isn’t it true that humans can get the protein they need from non meat sources? Imagine all of the protein rich plants we could grow in greenhouses with the energy from fracking without harming a single animal.

      • serena says:

        no because if the water was polluted then we would not be able to grow the plants and even if we could grow the plants with polluted water then it could make the plants toxic and if we were to eat them then we would get sick. And it’s not ok to hurt our animals.

        • Mr. Bell says:

          Our water is already polluted is it not? Otherwise why do we have to treat it in the first place? Given that we have to treat the water, fracking should pose no threat right?

          • serena says:

            No it would because if we did fracking it would only pollute it more and then it would just get get the animals sick and if they are already sick then they would get even get more sick. I don’t think you would want to eat poisend or polluted food and if you did that you would get sick.

            • serena says:

              Ya Spencer it wouldn’t hurt the animals that much but it would still hurt them.

              • spencer says:

                But we can still get protein from something else other than animals.

              • kayla says:

                But we already are polluting the earth and killing animals for food and already have lots of toxins and stuff so whats the difference with fracking?

      • Shace shahbazi says:

        I agree with Mr.Bell we harm all the animals for food but but its different when its for electricity?

        • serena says:

          No it’s not because the animals have feelings and if we already hurt them now we shouldn’t hurt them more by doing this and how would you feel if any of your pets got sick wouldn’t you be up set?

  8. Shace shahbazi says:

    In my opinion I think it is a good idea because it will give more jobs and power for our country so we can make more money and have more help from the government. And you can’t stop it so we will have more money for everyone!!

    • serena says:

      yes but it will hurt the environment and it could get us and our animals sick.

    • Mr. Bell says:

      Shace, please add more details and reasons to your argument. Consider the text we read as a resource for your position. Finally, organize a paragraph for your response (big idea, supporting details, conclusion).

    • Shace shahbazi says:

      (repost) In my opinion I think it is a good idea because it will give more jobs and power for our country so we can make more money and have more help from the government. And you can’t stop it so we will have more money for everyone!! and if we can give people more jobs we wont have many homeless people and with fracking we can make new technology so the future will be good for our country and our world.

      • Shaleyea says:

        There are, of course, the negative aspects of fracking. With the chemicals the companies use to cleanse the water, there is no telling what effect it will have on the animals and the environment.

        • DDDDDDDDDDDRRRRREEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWW says:

          What I say to that Shalayae is that they should find a chemical that is safe to the environment that takes the place of the dangerous chemicals that harm the environment.

          • Shaleyea says:

            And how long will they continue with these harsh chemicals before they find an environmentally friendly substitute?

            • DDDDDDDDDDDRRRRREEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWW says:

              that I can’t be sure but why don’t you look up what chemicals they put in fracking that is “dangerous” to our environment and also look for a substitute for the chemical.

        • Shace says:

          But thats why we have scientists

      • Shace says:

        I am still with fracking. it will make the world a better place. like i said we can make more money and have more help from the government. And you can’t stop it so we will have more money for everyone!! and if we can give people more jobs we wont have many homeless people and with fracking we can make new technology so the future will be good for our country and our world. And I haven’t had much people trying to make me change my mind…

  9. damien says:

    In my opinion fracking is a good thing because it will make everything that is a electric charge faster and turn on faster,more people will have jobs.

    • Mr. Bell says:

      Damien, you have useful ideas and information in this sentence. Please enhance your position by turning this sentence into a strong paragraph:

      – Big Idea: Fracking is good because ______
      – Supporting Details: it provides more energy, _______, ______
      – Conclusion: restate your big idea in new words; add a thought for the reader to consider

    • Kira says:

      But it will harm our environment and all the animals with it.

    • cassie says:

      Yeah but what about all the polluting air will be around and the smell and the poor animals habitat what would happen to them because there water is probably is going to be waste water soon that’s why I’m really against them and I disagree of your opinion .

  10. Gabrielle says:

    I had a hard time deciding what side to go for. I’m against, I have many reason why I’m against you will now find out. If you haven’t thought of this but we don’t have an endless supply of water second we don’t even know how we got water on the planet. If we were to go with fracking for the rest of I don’t know forever we would eventually run out of water on this planet unless somehow you can reproduce water. Each well is going to take up to 19 million Gallons of water! (thats a lot of water) We are messing with the plates under the dirt and what not so we are creating small earthquakes. Who knows they could become bigger earthquakes and be a danger to us. They are taking many homes away from animals. We NEED animals they are 3 quarters of our food that we eat and need for making other foods. Taking away our water from our lakes and rivers will not help farmers at all. Farmers grow all of our food to eat and to make many more foods. Thats what we live on food! Fourth living near a well cause symptoms such as nausea and headaches. This idea is going to pollute our world so much more. Waste water can end being dumped in near by lakes or rivers. We our wasting a lot of time into this project that they shouldn’t do.

    – Gabrielle B.

    • Kayla says:

      I agree!

    • Mr. Bell says:

      Water has a cycle does it not? As such it is not endless. Besides, many places treat their drinking water before it is used. We have the science in place to ensure our water is safe. Couldn’t more jobs be created with fracking if we had to invent new ways to treat the water used in the fracking process. This is a win-win situation don’t you agree? Furthermore, perhaps new treatment processes will allow places with salt water to turn it into potable water – how great would that be?

      • serena says:

        I agree completely with you.

      • Gabrielle says:

        Of course I don’t agree! There are lots of jobs being created right at this moment. I think there are enough jobs created with the pipeline.

    • emily says:

      I agree gabby there are aren’t endless supplies of water on the planet. but do you think that…. well I don’t know I just agree with you. And the fact that were on the same side about being against fracking. 🙂

    • Jillian says:

      We don’t NEED animals for food, vegetarians don’t eat animals, they get their protein from nuts, and other foods. Also, if you had a tough time deciding it means that you have reasons that you greatly support in fracking that your not telling us.

    • cassie says:

      Your debate is the greatest one I seen in here no a fence to anyone else but that was awesome to read! I totally agree with you gabby your awesome!

    • Gabrielle says:

      I have decided to switch sides to be with fracking! Fracking can create 100,000 jobs! Thats a lot. If people have already started fracking I’m pretty sure it’s safe enough for the environment. People think it’s going to harm our environment. Our environment is already being polluted tons a day! People aren’t doing anything about it. So far no one has died from ingesting our oxygen that everyone breathes. How can fracking harm animals? Maybe it will kill worms but thats about it. There are tons and tons of water on our planet! Fracking once with not be even close to using much of our water. Half of our world is covered in water. Point proved. Pce I’m Out!

  11. RAYNE says:

    I am definitely against Fracking for many reasons. It may create a lot more jobs but nonetheless some of them might have something to do with dumping it into rivers lakes and all of our water supply which will effect all of us. Secondly Chemicals are released and the smells will cause headaches and nausea, and it even contains high levels of different poisons. Lastly Fracking releases methane into the atmosphere.
    Even though Fracking may have some pros it still has cons that are much more important to us and our environment.

    • kayla says:

      Agreed!

    • Mr. Bell says:

      All things that harm living organisms can be considered poisonous would you agree? Therefor sugar could be considered a poison because too much of it can lead to diabetes, obesity, heart disease and eventually death. So are you saying that we should ban anything that is poisonous…like sugar?

      In terms of the environment, isn’t natural gas the cleanest of the fossil fuels. We are helping the environment with fracking because we won’t need to burn as much coal or oil, right?

      • RAYNE says:

        Right but……….. okay I’ve got nothing. Yeah I guess you’re right Fracking is more better. I completely change my mind, I barely even thought of the pros of Fracking.

        • kayla says:

          Me too i was just thinking about the bad things now i changed my mind too after reading all the debates.

    • Gabrielle says:

      I agree with Rayne because who likes head aches?

    • emily says:

      cool

    • cassie says:

      I agree with you rayne awesome debate

    • RAYNE says:

      Like I said in my last post I have now changed my mind so I am now strongly against fracking. Chemicals are released into the atmosphere but it will be less once we start fracking, and poisons will be released into the atmosphere but it’s like I said once we start fracking it won’t be as much as we do now. So in case you don’t get what I’m trying to say…… I’m against fracking.

  12. Kira says:

    In my opinion I am against fracking because it is a very harmful toxin to our earth. Like just take a moment to think about what it really dose to our environment the water and chemicals they use is radioactive if one animal drinks the say a cow drinks that water then it get sold to a meat factory them we eat it! We could die because the cow was radioactive! The water they need to do this is about nineteen million litters if we use to much local water we could have a massive drought that could take years to replace that could lead to massive food reduction and it could wreck the whole ozone layer with all the heave trucks that take gas by the gallon. And it could cause earth quacks that could release the chemicals could come up to the surface!

    • Mr. Bell says:

      According to the website How Stuff Works, there are 1,260,000,000,000,000,000,000 litres of water on Earth. Only 19,000,000 is needed for a well. That’s literally a drop in the bucket (hardly any) wouldn’t you agree? As such, there is plenty of water to support the needs of fracking.

      • Kira says:

        yes, but what happens to the world when we run out off water that we need to live on because if they use all the water because they clam they can make new water but fail the could kill us all the government would lie to use all they water because they don’t care about us they just care about money!

        Kira

      • serena says:

        I agree with you completely Kira because it would be toxin to our earth and we could have a massive drought if we are not careful.

        • Dylan says:

          ya because earth can only produce so much water that we can run out more easily so really you have a choice water (we cant live with out it) or electricity because we can live without it because we have wind turbines,dams and solar energy i think that all of that is good enough for now.

          • spencer says:

            But Dylan we have lots of water compared to what we’re going to use for fracking.

            • Dylan says:

              but Spencer we dont just use that much over a period of time they might do to much fracking and that can cause lack of water leading to places that cant get water DOOMED.

          • kayla says:

            Water won’t run out though it has a cycle.

            • Kira says:

              Kayla at the rate that we are using water the cycle of the water is having problems to keep up with us because how of how fast we are using it.

        • RAYNE says:

          Sorry Serena that wasn’t me, that was……Emily9-_-

          • Mr. Bell says:

            Emily, Rayne – it appears some reteaching needs to happen regarding digital citizenship. If you weren’t aware, it is not acceptable to post comments under another person’s name. If you are not willing to share your thoughts using your name, they need not be shared at all.

    • cassie says:

      I agree with you kira great debate

    • Kira says:

      I am not changing my mind on the fact that fracking is bad for our environment not to add the animal could get really sick from it and the earthquakes that could happen we could destroy the world from under our feet.

  13. emily says:

    I am strongly against fracking. Firstly there are lots of toxins and fumes, people don’t complain of head aches and nausea Because of smelling that nasty stuff for a reason. Secondly the people using or planning to do there plan for fracking would be using a lot of water like about 19 million litres of water like seriously! That would just be just …… weird. Also to transport all the water to the area that would be using a lot of gas on the road. Lastly I know that there would be more jobs an all that but they would be risking there lives to partly because if one of the drivers that would be driving along like wopdedo and all of that. the drivers could crash and drown if the water would splash in there face and they would be unconscious. And that is all.

    • Gabrielle says:

      I agree you a many great reasons there.

    • RAYNE says:

      You have many good reasons and you have a lot of imagination…….. but I don’t think that that would happen with all of the truck drivers.. Plus they already use a lot of litres of water now. But I’m with you for being against Fracking……… and Jim Carrey is better than Howie Mandel.

    • cassie says:

      what a great debate emily I liked it very much I agree with you

    • Jillian says:

      I’m pretty sure that they won’t tranport the water with trucks, they will drill close to water and use pipes!

  14. spencer says:

    I’m with fracking because it will provide jobs (Which we are running low on) and also it will provide energy for the next 100 years which will not only benefit us but it will also benefit generations to come. Fracking causes earthquakes but some people are exaggerating them the experts say that they are only small earthquakes and that they are not bad.

  15. cassie says:

    I’m against it because people who live by the wells it would smell like fumes. Plus it could cause headaches to the people and nausea and other symptoms. The shale gas isn’t clean as conventional natural gas. The solution to our energy needs isn’t fracking. Fracking is bad for you I think so thats all I can think about. Thats my abate.

    • serena says:

      I agree completely with you because it could cause headaches and who likes headaches.

    • Jillian says:

      Headaches for energy is bad, thats what you’re saying right!! So… No energy and happy heads is the way to go?

    • SSSSSSSSSSSShhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAccccccccccccccccccEEEEEEEEEEEE says:

      I dissagree because if you have a headache you can just take medication and if it does smell you can just use ferbreeze. and no one lives near wells with water in them.

    • CASSIE SMILES :) says:

      I am still against fracking completely. I’m not changing ever because of the poor animals habitats will be ruined. Thats mostly why I’m against because of the animals. I love animals so I don’t want there habitats ruined because of fracking. Think of our homes being ruined because of fracking like how would you feel if fracking teared down our home?. The animals are probably feel like that because maybe some animals live by where there doing the fracking. They drink out of a lake and then fracking turns that in a waste water place then they haft to find another place to live because theres no good water near them. I’m really against fracking so much because of the animals plus the headaches for people who have wells that smell bad.

  16. drew says:

    I am absolutely for fracking. Imagine how much we could evolve with 100 years of easy electricity. Fracking may do some damage I agree but would you rather go back to the olden days or have cars that hover?

    • Dylan says:

      I think you should put that futurama book down we will always have a car with wheels and its been 100 years since car have been around and only the body s have changed it

    • Mr. Bell says:

      What implications are there after the energy we’ve grown accustomed to runs out? Are you willing to give up things? Imagine a hospital relying on the power from fracking – it would be tragic don’t you agree?

    • Drew says:

      I am still for fracking because like I said in my first post we will most likely have evolved to hover cars In the years to come. We may have some trouble with the fracking such as head aches and nausea but we have the means to counter those symptoms. Also the main reason that many people are for fracking is that we will get electrical power for not only Canada for all of Canada and the U.S of A and Mexico for 100 years. the best reason is because we could be all be living in huge mansions by then.

  17. Dylan says:

    I am not with fracking because it may be giving us lots of electricity but it can be vary dangerous to us and can make many earth quakes over 35 in a year. and we are breaking in to are water table and shale gas is not better than natural gas that also may be brought up when we are fracking but it is also taking 19 million gallons of water and i think that fracking should not be done in Canada.

    • Mr. Bell says:

      What are you willing to give up when we run out of electricity – your TV, gaming systems, computer, freezer, air conditioner? If you won’t give anything up then we need fracking, right?

      Earthquakes happen all of the time (500,000 a year and only 100,00 can be felt). How can it be proved that fracking is the sole cause. the earthquake would have happened anyway don’t you agree?

      • Gabrielle says:

        Mr.Bell you never know the earth quakes could get worse is we keep messing with the surface plates.

        • Mr. Bell says:

          Earthquakes occur naturally. We know that burning fossil fuel is bad for the environment, yet we still do it! Should all underground resources be off limits? How does someone drill a well for drinking water and field irrigation then?

      • Dylan says:

        But think if we do we are adding 3800 to are 500,000 and we dont know what if it triggers a bigger earth quake then some people will be regretting it.

    • cassie says:

      I agree dylan

        • Dylan says:

          because it true.

          • Dylan says:

            in the time we have been doing this debate I have not changed my mind i still think that fracking is bad there is many bad way fracking is hurting us and are environment because we have many way of cleaner electricity so we wont be giving people head aches for no reason so i think i will always be against this as long as I live

            -Dylan

  18. Jillian says:

    As far as I am concerned, we need to start fracking soon. First of all, the world will run out of energy in the foreseeable future, and we should have a stock pile of more, when that happens. Secondly, we have lots of water on Earth, so thats not an issue. The world is polluted, and we should to change that, but if we don’t have any energy, that task will be much more difficult. I love my TV, that takes energy to build, and to operate, many other things require energy to build and operate aswell. So, in conclusion, if we are going to keep the world “energized” we will need a lot more energy to be available soon.

    • Mr. Bell says:

      It’s foolish to continue to chase after energy sources that run out, wouldn’t you agree? Wasting time and money while damaging the environment with more fossil fuel consumption is absurd. The point in time is approaching where there are no more things to burn for energy – forward thinking is needed. The sun burns enough gas for us to transform it into energy. Let’s put some more imagination into maximizing this clean resource!

      • serena says:

        why would you want to do that it could hurt the enviroment and it could hurt the animals and it could get us sick if the water gets poisend .

      • Jillian says:

        Yes, I do. But until we have the imagination to take energy from the sun we will need a source to fill our needs. Fracking is a perfect way to fit our needs, it is not absurd.

        • Mr. Bell says:

          Fracking is a temporary fix. If we become dependent on the energy supply it provides we are doomed when it runs out wouldn’t you agree? Unless a new source is found to replace it, we will have to cut back our energy consumption drastically!

        • Gabrielle says:

          We can’t take energy from the sun! We can’t go near it! We will burn up and die!

    • Gabrielle says:

      We have actually already started fracking. Sadly

    • Drew says:

      I completely agree with you. You have some very valid points.

    • Gabrielle says:

      It is very dangerous for our environment. We need think of some sort of energy that is safe for our environment. Exactly our world will run out of energy if we frack.

    • cassie says:

      I don’t really care about TV I never had it for 2 years but I just got it back but I’m still against it

      • Jillian says:

        TV was just one example, refrigerators, the cars that take you to school, and even the rides at the carnival!!

        • Jillian says:

          My mind has not been changed yet. The pros greatly outweigh the cons. Jobs, energy, ect. But… if we are going to frack, we need to put away money to protect as much wildlife as possible. The water won’t be an issue, since we have lots of it.

  19. Kal3b says:

    I am with fracking because there is so much what can happen from it.
    fracking provide’s jobs ‘s and it would help because job’s are running low
    it provide’s energy for the years to come so when your kids and grand kids
    are born they will have plenty of energy.

    • serena says:

      But do you really want your kids and grand kids being born into a polluted world?

      • Kal3b says:

        no its not going to happen

        • Kal3b says:

          I am still with fracking because its good for the energy
          it awesome for the people who don’t have a lot of money because then they can get a job. In a 100 years in plenty of time for them to find a energy source. I am still with with

          fracking

    • Mr. Bell says:

      What happens when the gas runs out? What will the people do who lose their jobs? Doesn’t it make more sense to find jobs from renewable sources of energy?

    • Kira says:

      Ya the world will be so polluted with all that energy will power Building and factory’s and what happens when we run out of energy? Or what if we kill the ozone layer we would all die!

  20. Jada :) says:

    I am for fracking because it will give us energy for the next hundred years. If it causes a problem in the next hundred years, we wont have to deal with it we might be all dead. It also is a long way under ground so it wont effect us much. It will only make little Earth quakes anyway. Natural gas is a lot cleaner than oil too.

    • Jillian says:

      I never thought about the possibility of us all being dead in the next 100 years!!

    • cassie says:

      I agree but but about the environment and the animals habitats? What will happen to them? It probably won’t effect us but it probably will for the environment and the animals habitat.

    • Mr. Bell says:

      So you are willing to put your grandchildren and great grandchildren at risk?

      Burning natural gas pollutes our air does it not? Besides, we will run out of natural gas at some point, so why not put more effort into renewable energy?

      • Jada :) says:

        But it might not be our children and grandchildren doing the work. In the future we will have different ways of doing things. It won’t be all the same.

    • Shaleyea says:

      That said, if we do eventually pass-on, we would be leaving our polluted world to the next generation to deal with. Even now, few people want to prevent pollution, so who’s to say the future of our population would care?

  21. Jake says:

    I for one am all for Fracking. I don’t see the problem in trying to reduce waste, any way that we can reduce the amount of gasoline in our community is probably worth getting in to and I am sure there are other ways to get to a natural source of watter and, with our economy the way it is right now any other jobs I’m sure would be appreciated. Anyway I thinks it’s cool.

    • Mr. Bell says:

      So creating a society dependant on a source of energy that will run out is ‘cool’? What will you give up when the power runs out, or when your power is shut off for a portion of the day? Doesn’t it make more sense to find renewable energy sources to power our societies?

    • Kira says:

      ya its a good point but our environment will clasp and the animals will all die. they have as much as a right to live as we do they did not pollute the earth we did that to them.

  22. Issac says:

    I’m completely for fracking. It WILL create thousands of jobs. It WILL create power for North America for the next 100 years. And It WILL be easier. It probably wont do any harm.

    • Shaleyea says:

      You’re right, but there are also, if not more, cons than there are pros. Fracking companies may say that there hasn’t been a single case of water contamination, but there have been numerous reports of methane gas in tap water in the area surrounding the fracking site.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LBjSXWQRV8

      • Mr. Bell says:

        Great video link! That said, is this video factual or has it been staged in any way? One significant part of research is to find credible information. Are there other videos or articles out there to suggest this (methane from tap) is really happening as a result of fracking?

        • serena says:

          No it would cause allot of harm because it would pollute the water and did you see the video shaleyea posted and that is what it could do to the water and I don’t think you would want to drink water that is so polluted that it could catch on fire. How would you put matches out?

      • Kobe says:

        that was awesome

      • Issac says:

        Name 3 things that will be bad about fracking.

    • Mr. Bell says:

      Fracking will create many unemployed people when the resource runs out right? What good is a temporary fix when there are many renewable sources of energy to use?

      • serena says:

        What is going to happen to all our water? I know their is allot of water but if they use to much then it could run out don’t you think?

  23. tyler says:

    we will get more power.

    • Mr. Bell says:

      What will happen when the power runs out because the gas is all gone? What will you give up? Doesn’t it make more sense to develop renewable energy sources?

  24. jacob salo says:

    I am for fracking because it can provide jobs and energy for hundreds of years for north America. and fracking can extract extra oil and other minerals its is safe for human use and animals.

    • Shaleyea says:

      You can not be sure that it is harmless to both humans and animals. For the chemicals they use to cleanse the water are harsh, and can sometimes result in death to some animals if there was too much of the substance ingested.

      • jacob salo says:

        well have any animals or humans died yet?

        • Shaleyea says:

          The fracking sites are secluded from locale cities and towns, there are, without a doubt, animals that have died in the surrounding environment.

        • kayla says:

          Tons of animals everywhere but it’s not just because of fracking it’s because of all the other pollution and for food like cows and pigs and chicken are all killed for us to eat.

      • Issac says:

        You cant be sure that it will do harm either.

      • serena says:

        How is it not going to hurt the animals when the water gets polluted and they drink it and get sick and then they start to die?the animals have feelings to

        • jacob salo says:

          ya they drink water but they wont pollute the water because they will use the oil for something else

    • Mr. Bell says:

      So you prefer short term solutions rather than longer term solutions? What happens when the resource runs out? Where will the power come from? Why invest time in something that will run out?

  25. Shaleyea says:

    I am opposed towards the practice of fracking. There are already enormous amounts of chemicals in our everyday surroundings, and fracking will only add to that. Although the companies may cleanse the water before redistributing it in our rivers and lakes, they do so with harsh chemicals. Even if the chemicals were approved to not be of harm when ingested by humans, the same can not be said for the animals who drink it as well. The chemicals they use have also done harm on the people surrounding the fracking site. There have been numerous complaints of headaches and nausea as a result of the chemicals becoming airborne, these effects can take their toll on the elderly and those who already have a sickness. To sum it up, don’t you think the world has enough chemicals in our everyday essentials already? Do you really think we should add more on top?

    • sydney says:

      I agree with you we shouldn’t have to harm our environment anymore that it is right now. Would change your position knowing that it would give our world 100 years of energy?

    • serena says:

      Ya there is already an amount of pollution and I don’t get why people would want to pollute it more.

    • Shaleyea says:

      I still stand strongly against fracking. Nothing has come to light that is convincing me to change my stance. If anything, my opinion has only gotten stronger. From what I observed from my classmates, all points supporting fracking where all the same. All arguments had the same positive sides, and I went out of my way to look further into fracking to make my points interesting. I still believe that our economy is in danger due to fracking, and that our community is in threat of the chemicals used in the process.

  26. kayla says:

    I think after reading everyones arguments i think i’m starting to change my mind. I’m for fracking at first i was against but people have some really good points.

    • CC CCCAAAAAASSSSSSIIIIIIIIEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! says:

      Well I’m never going to change my mind not at all I will be against TILL THE END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  27. kayla says:

    I am for fracking! everyone is so worried about the animals and environment but our world already has tons of pollution and us humans are like a virus to mother nature because we did all of this to start with and everyone seems okay besides fracking supplies for 100 years and and water doesn’t run out because it has a cycle and we will all be dead by the time the 100 years are done.

    • Shaleyea says:

      But, that hundred years of energy will run out, and with all the minerals gone from previous fracking, where will we turn next?

    • Shaleyea says:

      And leaving our polluted Earth to the next generation is not the answer to the problem. Barley anyone cares now, who will care in the future?

    • CC CCCAAAAAASSSSSSIIIIIIIIEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! says:

      So what about the animals habitats?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

    • CASSIE SMILES :) says:

      WHY DID YOU CHANGED YOUR MIND ANYWAYS?

      • kayla says:

        because after reading everyones debates I decided that fracking is not as bad as i thought.

    • JJJJJJJJJJAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDDAAAAAAAAAA :) says:

      I agree with you Kayla. We all might be dead in 100 years.

    • kayla says:

      Plus people are much smarter now and are figuring out new technology fast so by that time sombody will have invented a new way for fracking that’s safer.

  28. Issac says:

    All the dangerous things will be done far under ground below the water table. It will be pretty hard for it to reach all the way to the surface and harm everything in the environment. Fracking will allow North America to have power for 100 years. I would rather have power for a long time and let a couple of deer die that we hunt anyway.

    • jacob salo says:

      i agree with Issac because if it is below the water table and its that far under ground it wont bother us plus some of the earths cores heat might melt some of it

    • Shaleyea says:

      But our water supply is underground as well. Risking our well being and the next generation of mankind is not the path to take. I have read over many posts saying that we’ll be dead by the time the energy runs out, and leaving our problems for others to take care of is not right. There are too many negative aspects to fracking than positive ones.

  29. RAYNE says:

    I completely change my mind, I am all in for Fracking My first meaningful post I was basically only thinking about the cons and a little bit of the pros but not the really good ones. Fracking is much better than burning natural gas and all that because now we barely harm the environment but we still do. The thing is though is that when we run out in about 100 years what happens then? What do we do? But I guess we shouldn’t worry about that right now.

    • emily :D says:

      You are crazy.. wait I guess you have a good point. But don’t you think that everything that is happing here on the earth if fine beside the natural gas?

      • Mr. Bell says:

        Emily – when debating, it is expected to stay on topic and critique the ideas, never the person. You may disagree with an idea, but to suggest someone with a differing view is ‘crazy’ is not polite (the idea can be crazy however).

      • RAYNE says:

        Well if you think about it fracking is better than burning coals and natural gas. Which will last us a little longer than what we are doing now.

    • Shaleyea says:

      Leaving our problems for others is not the right choice. Yes there is a possibility for another genius to come along and solve them, but with the choices teenagers are making today, I doubt there will be one for the next generation.

  30. Issac says:

    Give me one good reason why fracking is a bad idea other then it might pollute the earth and it might kill some animals.

  31. emily :D says:

    I am still strongly agienst fracking. the reason is that I know that there are lots of water on the earth but the more that the people that are on incharge of the fracking keep using the water the more the water will ……… go away! AHH

  32. Mr. Bell says:

    Well done everyone! Debating issues in our lives is an important aspect of citizenship. Many wonderful people have differing opinions – this does not make them bad! Agree to disagree because sometimes you won’t change the minds of others. Always be mindful that gathering credible information from several points of view is important before coming to a conclusion.

    Hopefully you enjoyed the debate as much as I enjoyed reading your posts and links!

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