Rose Braz: Climate Campaign Director at the Center for Biological Diversity

Rose Braz: Climate Campaign Director

Emma Gallagher: Earthscope reporter

Earthscope reporters recently had the opportunity to talk with a few distinguished people at the Center for Biological Diversity. I personally sat down with Rose Braz, the Climate Campaign Director at the CBD. One of her main focuses now is establishing a moratorium, or hold, on fracking in the state of California. Fracking is a very controversial topic throughout the country. For those who aren’t familiar with “fracking”, or hydraulic fracturing, it is a process in which sand, water, and chemicals are pumped at high pressures into rock to expose and extract oil and natural gas. Harvesting these wells is extremely profitable and does create jobs in the industry. However, many argue fracking’s hazards and complications outweigh the economic gain.

Braz is fighting fracking in California for the safety of its citizens and the good of the environment. Not only does this process tear up landscapes and compromise ground rock structures, it negatively affects the fracking towns and its people. Braz solemnly explained to me that “there are people living near fracked wells who are simply getting sick…and these are not isolated incidents.” Air quality, smog, ground-level ozone, well water depletion, and drinking water pollution are all ways people are affected by released or leaked fracking chemicals. Moreover, Californians have to take into consideration the risk of earthquakes associated with fracking. Fractured rock beneath the surface can weaken the earth, and in a place already on a fault line, there are serious implications with fracking beyond the immediate well sites. Besides the dangers, Braz also believes safer, healthier alternative energy industries can create more jobs and economic stimulus than fracking: “The answers are out there. We just need to reprioritize where we are investing.”

So where is fracking being done in California? What chemicals are they using that are so toxic? What are they doing with left over fracking fluid? How much water are these companies taking away from agriculture and residential use? One of the frightening things about fracking is even federal and state agencies do not have full access to this information. Estimations can only be taken from limited statistics because companies are not required to release information about their chemicals, processes, locations, and consumption.  The oil and gas industries have gained a number of exemptions from the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and other federal laws. California agencies have also lacked any monitoring or regulation. California denied fracking even existed in the state until two years ago, although as many as 19 different counties are believed to have been fracked.

With so many questions and so much at stake, the CBD is trying to stop fracking operations in California until more is investigated. They are part of a statewide coalition to ban fracking and call on the governor to take a stand. Braz and the CBD have petitions out to the governor, pending litigations against the state, anti-fracking grass-root movements, and social media to keep Californians informed. If you want a voice about fracking in your state, become a fractivist through the Center for Biological Diversity, linked here: http://action.biologicaldiversity.org/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=7468. The first step to ending fracking practices begins with informing the public. There are many local organizations working against this industry and pushing for government regulation. Writing letters to your editor, signing petitions, supporting these groups, and even writing to the state government are all things you can do to propel the ant-fracking campaign.  These actions are small initiatives, but they are immensely significant to help protect California and its people from the dangers and uncertainties of fracking. 

*** IMPORTANT UPDATE: August 2, 2013
In response to an April lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management, the federal government announced plans to analyze the risks of fracking on California public lands and wildlife. The investigation will likely take over a year, halting fracking development in the areas covered until the reviews are complete. The efforts of the CBD and their allies have gained a small victory for the state of California, but this is just the beginning of this critical battle against fracking. There is still much to be done about the management and research practices of the fracking industry both state and nationwide. 

For more information on fracking and how you can get involved, please visit: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/california_fracking/. Continue the fight!

Emma Gallagher: Earthscope Reporter