Climate targets, clean water, and investment in renewable energy are all endangered by fracking for shale gas. This has been linked to groundwater contamination and public health issues in the US.

Although fracking has yet to get under way in the UK, there are already several test drilling rigs here in the North-West, on either side of the Ribble estuary. Studies have shown that burning all the shale gas claimed to be present in the UK would leave us with no chance of meeting our emissions targets, and would result in more expensive domestic electricity than we would get from renewables.

Friends of the Earth believes that a moratorium should be put in force on fracking for shale gas until its climate and safety issues have been thoroughly investigated.

If you want to know more about what fracking is and how it might affect you, please click this link to read the FAQ on fracking.