Hydraulic fracturing - or fracking - has been implicated in pollution incidents across the US, leading to widespread protests. Photo: LT Mayers

December 2010 Printable Subscribers Newsletter

Ecologist

December 7th, 2010

This month we highlight the potential dangers of controversial hydraulic fracturing as the scramble for natural gas intensifies, we report on uranium mining in the US, probe Egypt's factory farming boom and examine efforts being made by supermarkets to deal with excess packaging waste... To access this exclusive content plus other articles, log in and scroll down to the bottom of the page...

At the time of writing the Cancun COP 16 climate talks are still underway in Mexico, with the now familiar merry-go-round of never-ending discussions, arguments, empty pledges and broken promises. After the spectacular failure of last year's Copenhagen summit – widely agreed to have achieved virtually nothing and at times bordering on high farce – the Ecologist took an editorial decision to largely leave day to day coverage of its much-hyped follow up to others.

In advance of the meeting we did set out an accessible overview of what's up for grabs, and once the event grinds to a halt and delegates are aboard their jets home we will round up with a similarly informative yet sober analysis of progress made (and presumably opportunities missed).

Whilst the world's attention is focussed on Mexico, we've drilled into another developing catastrophe however – the rapid advance of hydraulic fracturing (or 'fracking' as it has come to be known) in the scramble for natural gas reserves. The process is currently used in many natural gas wells in the US, and involves millions of gallons of water, sand and chemicals being pumped underground to break apart rock formations...

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