Tying it All Together – Unconventional Oil and Gas Extraction (UOGE)
Science can be broken down into several categories: observation, values placed on technology and credibility and trust. All elements listed are required in science in order to be able to bring an idea together. First, observation explains the topic and allows people to understand the idea. Values are many times the motives behind science and discovery. Values have led many to pursue discoveries that would help those around them, while money has led many others to science in the hopes of becoming rich. Credibility and trust are then required as they help to keep scientists motivated to stay on the right track and not to attempt to make discoveries for the wrong reasons. Combined, the three topics above are crucial when discussing science and the ways in which people view it.
Merriam’s Dictionary states that observation is “The act of careful watching and listening: the activity of paying close attention to someone or something in order to get information” (merriam-webster.com 1). Yet, observation means remarkably more than “careful watching and listening” in the world of science. An example of observation being more than what is in front of you, can be found in an article written by Samuel Hubbard Scudder in which he “learned to see.” In Hubbard’s article, “Learning to See” he talks of when he first wanted to become a naturalist and was invested heavily in the study of insects (Scudder 143). Instead of investigating insects, Hubbard was given a fish by his professor Dr. Agassiz and asked “what do you see?” (Scudder 144). At first Hubbard was confused and had no understanding of what he should be looking for (Scudder 144). Only after days of studying and examining the fish did Hubbard understand what Dr. Agassiz wanted him to see (Scudder 144). Hubbard realized you cannot simply look at the things you are interested in and be able to understand them, without first seeing the things that may not be as visible or that you may not want to see (Scudder 145).
In the case of unconventional oil and gas extraction (UOGE), and mainly fracking, the public has observed that through the use of fracking energy and gas prices have dropped considerably (dailycaller.com 1). Scientists have been able to observe a reduction in harmful greenhouse gases as coal and other harmful fossil fuel use has dropped (energyindepth.org). Until recently the only observations being made in the case of fracking were good ones. Yet in the case of science, looking only at the positives is dangerous as underlying issues may eventually present themselves. Fracking’s own underlying issue has recently exposed itself, as many people have begun to witness the chemicals used in fracking as being harmful to the environment in different ways such as polluted ground water, and even man made earthquakes (sciencedaily.com 2). In the case of science and fracking in particular, careful observations must be made in order to ensure new technologies will not be harmful to the environment. If the chemicals in fracking are eventually observed to truly be affecting the environment in harmful ways, careful consideration must be used in order to determine whether hydraulic fracturing should continue.
Scientific discovery is often created out of observation, yet many times science is derived from that which cannot be seen; values. Values are many times the leading factor in science as it gives scientists a reason to pursue something (health.gov.ua 1). Say a loved one of a scientist knows has a fatal illness and no cure has been made. If given the opportunity and the tools to do so, that scientist is going to do whatever they can in order to attempt to create a cure. Technology is created in much the same way as most technologies are created when a value is placed on an object that will be useful or have symbolic meaning to those who create it. Many times science is not created because it can help or hurt others however. Money and fame are given huge amounts of value by all sorts of different people, and have been the reason behind many technological advancements (bbc.com 5). Fracking is a technology that has many possible implications for its creation.
Fracking has created cheap and efficient energy for many (dailycaller.com 2). In many ways, fracking has boosted the economy and cut down on harmful greenhouse gases (energyindepth.org 2). Yet, the more likely reason for fracking’s creation is the amount of money it creates for many (fair.org 3). The energy business is not a cheap one, and by creating vast quantities of a useable energy stands to make millions if not billions of dollars (fair.org 3). Greed and potential gain might have caused the creation of a technology that is harming our environment. With the amount of money fracking brings in, many people are willing to look past the fact that fracking chemicals may be polluting ground water and destroying many ecosystems (fair.org 4). Not everyone thinks about money as being above all as the Amish have long been against technological innovation (Wetmore 11). Jameson Wetmore in his article “The Amish and Technology” explains that although there are many reasons the Amish do not use technology, the main one is that they believe the use of technology leads people to be greedy and stray from their beliefs (Wetmore 13). The Amish might have a valid point. As technology becomes more advanced, more and more people are finding new ways in which to use said technology to make money (forbes.com 4). Like fracking many technologies that have led to wealth have led to the climate crisis we are currently in, such as cars and factories with their carbon emissions (energyindepth.org 4). Perhaps humanity should take a step back and look at the Amish and their way of life. That is not to say technology should be given up or banned in any way, just that maybe we need to take into consideration our greed and the implications it may be having on our planet.
Credibility and trust are the underlying factors behind the significant choices we make. People do not often get into cars with strangers or instantly believe every word someone they just met is saying. Science is similar in that in order for people to believe what they are seeing, they must have a reason to believe. Credibility and trust provide a reason in which to believe in a person or a belief or a scientific discovery (alexwhite.org 2). With regards to fracking, we are being told that that it in no way harms the environment and that the practice is completely safe but they will not provide a complete list of all chemicals used (energyindepth.org 4). According to fracfocus.org there are hundreds of chemicals in fracking fluid including anti-freeze and other toxic compounds (fracfocus.org 1). Trust is hard to gain, even harder so when it appears we have not been given all of the facts. In the documentary Gasland, a man named Josh Fox travels parts of the Midwestern United States visiting families that have fracking companies drilling close to their homes (Gasland). The families in the documentary are able to light their water on fire and they blame fracking chemicals that they believe have polluted their ground wells (Gasland). Other families notice they have difficulties breathing as a result of the chemicals in the air that fracking produces (Gasland). While fracking companies claim there are no ill effects as a result of fracking, studies are now showing that they may be wrong, and some believe they may just be lying in order to continue making money (sciencedaily.com). Fracking has proved to be beneficial to our energy use in the United States but in order for the drilling to be allowed to continue, fracking companies must for once be able to prove they are not actually harming the environment (energyindepth.org). Giving evidence and proving that fracking is not damaging the environment will allow us to be able to trust them and have no doubts about the fracking process.
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