The world is facing a global sand crisis
Overuse of sand for construction and industry is harming the environment and fueling violence around the world. Scientists explain why we need international rules to regulate sand mining and use.
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Articles on Fracking
Displaying 1 - 20 of 96 articles
There may be a huge flaw in UK fracking hopes – the geology
Why protesters should think about putting their feet up.
Is your drinking water safe? Here’s how you can find out
America's drinking water infrastructure is aging and needs billions of dollars in upgrades. Two extension educators urge consumers to monitor their water and have it tested if they suspect problems.
Explainer: unpacking the issues around fracking in South Africa
South Africa has been considering shale gas development in the Karoo region. The gas, will be expensive to explore and extract, will be used as part of the country's energy mix.
It’s nonsense to say fracking can be made safe, whatever guidelines we come up with
From crossing a road to fracking for oil, everything has inherent risks. At best, we can only aim to agree that, on balance, they are contained and justified.
Is energy ‘dominance’ the right goal for US policy?
The Trump administration has set a new national policy: energy dominance. But can the US really dominate other countries through fossil fuel exports?
New findings on earthquakes and oil and gas extraction in the United States
Oklahoma is trying to limit the number of earthquakes caused by oil and gas extraction, but some existing faults there – which could be activated by wastewater injection – have never been mapped.
Trump’s offshore oil drilling push: Five essential reads
The industry has wanted access to offshore oil for decades, but the Arctic remains challenging. Consumers, meanwhile, seem conflicted on expanded offshore drilling.
Norway’s oil fund is a tarnished gold standard for sustainable investment
A false divide between ethics and economics has diluted the immense potential power of the world's biggest sovereign wealth fund.
Australian gas: between a fracked rock and a socially hard place
The federal government seems keen to usher in a new boom in onshore gas production. But gas firms will need to tread carefully, as past experience in Queensland's fracking heartland shows.
California’s rain may shed light on new questions about what causes earthquakes
Can California's wet weather make earthquakes more likely? Scientists are still learning about what triggers these events. Even human activity can be a culprit.
Earthquakes triggered by humans pose growing risk
A new project tracks earthquakes accidentally induced by human activity. It suggests the problem is bigger than some scientists thought.
Considering the technical readiness of South Africa to support the shale gas industry
Shale gas holds considerable advantages. But there are still a number of uncertainties around whether South Africa is ready for such a bold step.
What President Trump means for the future of energy and climate
President-elect Trump's objective on energy and climate is clear: Undo Obama's legacy of environmental regulations and massively expand fossil fuel production.
Ignoring local concerns on fracking will come back to haunt Britain
Research shows people don't trust planning decisions if it seems central government or energy companies have had too much influence.
Fracking and health: What we know from Pennsylvania’s natural gas boom
Three studies find higher rate of health issues for people who live near large or many fracked natural gas well sites.
It will take more than giving people a share in shale gas profits to sway public opinion on fracking
The government promises cash for communities that accept fracking, but cannot know whether it can keep that promise or not.
Why utilities have little incentive to plug leaking natural gas
The Obama administration wants to regulate methane leaks from oil and gas operations. Here's why we can't count on market forces to make it work.
How Trinidad and Tobago and Ghana could partner for innovation
Ghana could learn a great deal from Trinidad and Tobago about how to manage its energy sector – and about what pitfalls to avoid.
Fracking puts local councils in an impossible position
Councillors are caught in the crossfire between government, industry, protestors and locals.
Top contributors
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Program Manager for Unconventional Resources, Australian School of Petroleum, University of Adelaide
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Senior Lecturer in Petroleum Law and Regulation, The University of Queensland
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Professor of Finance, Associate Dean Postgraduate Studies, Lancaster University
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Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute
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Honorary Fellow in Economics, The University of Queensland
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Visiting Lecturer, Research Fellow at City University London, Harvard University
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Senior Lecturer in Radioactive Waste Disposal and Remediation, University of Birmingham
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Professorial Fellow, University of Melbourne
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Professor of Geophysics, Durham University
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Head of Department of Management and Professor of Petroleum Accounting at Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University
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Instructor in Rail Transportation Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
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Chair in Health Effectiveness, University of Stirling
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Postdoctoral scholar, University of California, Berkeley
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Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University
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Lecturer of Business Law, University of Leeds
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