The concern is that we now use the fracking process to go back and suck the last drop of crude oil from wells that no longer are producing adequately.
Like our efforts to take all we can from our remaining forests, we are developing technology to maximize our ability to increase our wealth and affluent life style without considering the impact on human life in the future. One must also question, is this increased fossil fuels to be used for domestic consumption or exported to markets offering high profit margins?
I have serious concerns about the fracking process, to begin with. Anyone with limited knowledge on geology, knows our planet is not held together by solid bedrock. In fact, the earths crust is a series of plates that are constantly shifting west by 3 1/2 inches every year. This shifting causes earth quakes and volcanic activity. In the last 5 years, Ohio has experienced about 30 measurable earth quakes and Oklahoma is currently measuring an average of 2 earth quakes each day. A few scientists are beginning to suspect the cause may be the increased fracking that is being done. BRILLIANT! It is like someone wanting to fracture the foundation of your house and telling you nothing will happen. Come on people! Are you willing to sacrifice the future of our civilization for our current thirst for fossil fuels?
I am in the process of reading Jared Diamond's book, "Collapse", where he presents the history of past cultures and societies that have disappeared or collapsed. He offers analysis of several societies like the Mayan, Anasazi, Easter Island and others that have collapsed and failed. His analysis suggests that the main reasons for failure have been 5 environmental causes. If you look at the combination of issues, you find the major cause is the over-utilization of the resources required to support an increasing population. Sound familiar? Incidentally, deforestation is almost always a major part of the cause.
Where are we going and when will we learn? Will it be to late? Vital adjustments must be made, starting now. I have stated before that our technology has advanced beyond belief but, our understanding and appreciation for the limitations of Mother Earth continues to be the missing link!