(en) France, Alternative Libertaire #224 - Fossil fuels: gas and shale oil: we said no! (fr)

While a broad offensive in favor of gas and shale oil is led by the industrial and relayed 
by some members of the government, the opposition movement remains vigilant and 
determined. ---- 24 and 25 November last stood in Seine-et-Marne national meeting of 
collective opposition to the exploitation of gas and oil shale (GHDs). The opportunity to
recall that the mobilization, which was achieved in July 2011 a law banning hydraulic 
fracturing remains dynamic. That Act, Fran?ois Hollande has promised not to change during
his five years, this technique precludes whose environmental impact is devastating, and 
leaves room for the development of new techniques. Pressure remains strong to get these 
unconventional oil and gas in their basements. It is sufficient to slightly green 
technology and other call for the government to give its approval.

Of course, the industry grow, with a lot of disinformation campaigns, lobbying, blackmail
employment and preaches nationalism. MEDEF calls for a national debate on the issue to 
sedate her world through a sham consultation, played and locked beforehand, as is 
currently the government do with the debate on the transition energy. He could rely on the 
relay of some members of the government and other servants of the dominant model, as 
Arnaud Montebourg who likes to rave about the potential of the French ghds, or Michel 
Rocard that France would be " blessed "with its reserves.

This is offensive to accept that new "clean" technologies will soon exploit GHDs without 
harming the environment. This position is misleading.

There is no technical "clean"
Whatever the method used, with or without chemical additives, seismic necessary to release 
gas or oil from the rock also liberate elements naturally present in the soil (heavy 
metals, methane, radioactive elements) that migrate to the surface or groundwater. 
Environmental pollution would be reduced, but not eliminated. And most importantly, 
whatever the technique used, the use of ghds emits large quantities of greenhouse gas 
emissions: Thousands of truck round, natural gas leaks related to the process, and, of 
course, gas and oil will eventually burn . Not to mention the impact on landscapes, 
wastewater treatment, the conversion of thousands of wells operating time is very short ...

The movement against GHDs do not let sleep by promises of "clean technologies" that save 
us by allowing us to continue to feed our consumerist bulimia. The GHDs must remain 
underground, no technology will ever be clean enough to get them out. The members EELV 
filed December 11 a bill to that effect, but have no doubt it will be rejected. Again, 
facing the industrial fossil and its political connections, it is on the ground that the 
opposition will be deadly to thwart their plans.

Jocelyn (AL Montreuil)