Fracking Explained: Opportunity or Danger
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Provided by: Kurzgesagt - In a Nutshell|Published on: October 21, 2021
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Synopsis
- This video explains how hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is used to extract natural gas from rock and highlights the dangers that are associated with the process.
- Students will learn about the enormous amounts of energy and water fracking requires and the risk of water contamination associated with pumping the leftover toxic chemicals back into the wells.
Subjects: Chemistry, Earth and Space Sciences, Health
Authors: Kurzgesagt - In a Nutshell
Region: North America, United States, Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This video explains the process of fracking in easy-to-understand terms with simple visual aids that will appeal to visual learners and English language learners.
- The short format of the video makes it an ideal introduction to a more in-depth lesson on fracking.
Prerequisites
- The video begins with an advertisement.
- Because the video was produced in 2013, some of the statistics about fracking are not up to date.
- The video does not address the potential connection between fracking and earthquakes or fracking and air pollution.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Ethics classes can use this video to discuss whether the benefits of procuring natural gas for fuel outweigh the negative impacts that fracking has on the environment and on people's health.
- Engineering classes can use this video to compare and contrast fracking with other methods of extracting fossil fuels.
- Earth science classes can research the formation of natural gas to better understand why there is a limited supply of it on the Earth.
- Other resources related to this topic include Youth Climate Story: Fracking and Earthquakes in Ohio, Youth Climate Story: Fracking in Pennsylvania, and ACE Report: How To Make A Fossil Fuel.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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