Hydraulic water extracted for daily usage and

Hydraulic Fracturing1.     IntroductionTheadvent of the industrial revolution triggered the use of gas and petroleumproducts throughout the globe, especially the United States. Oil and gas appearto be the most powerful and cheap sources of energy, therefore, extracting oiland gas and finding new ways to improve production is a keen interest of oiland gas production companies. Hydraulic Fracturing is a process through whichoil and gas are extracted from the earth by injecting pressurized liquid.

Thisliquid contains toxic chemicals which on one hand makes extraction of fuelquite easy but simultaneously they appear to be a big hazard for humans, animals and the environment. Also, the frequent extraction of fuel for extendedperiods depletes precious natural resources. Theproponents of sustainable development claim that sustainable development is thekey to protecting the environment.  Sometimes though idealistic because resourcedepletion takes centuries to recover, efforts should be possessed to save the environmentand entails economic gains but Hydraulic fracturing may become an obstacle inway of achieving sustainable development. Therefore, this phenomenon is quiteinteresting while it does have many impacts on social economic andenvironmental aspects of society not only in present but in future also. Therefore, impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on various aspects of society willbe discussed in this study.

2.     HydraulicFracturing: The Dilemma of Modern America2. 1  Hydraulic Fracturing Impact onEnvironment TheUnited States is the largest producer of Gas in the world, and the largest userof petroleum and Natural gas. The primary energy consumption of country based oncarbon producing energy sources which leads to increase carbon emission in theenvironment. These emissions of gasses and thirst to acquire more and moreenergy resources led the world into a vicious cycle of global warming and itsimpacts (Patel et al. 2014).

Fracturingas we know is a process through which toxic pressurize water is injected inrocks, this water includes acids to fracture rocks, these toxins mixed in waterextracted for daily usage and waste which eventually make their way to the seaalso affects marine life.  Besides lifethreatening properties of fracturing, increase in fuel production will depletethe natural resources. Just in two centuries of industrial revolution andhumans deplete the ozone layer and many scare resources that may take centuriesto regain their place.

The hydroelectric, wind, geothermal and biomass energy areconsidered to be environment-friendly ways of achieving energy but theproduction of oil and gas through fracturing increased a lot all over theworld. Following table informs about the production of Shale gas all around theworld. Table 2. 1 Productionof Shale GasSource:(linley 2011)ShaleGas refers to phenomena where gas is extracted from breaking of shales orrocks, which is getting popular all around the world (Linley, 2011).

Thismassive extraction is quite alarming because it is just not hazardous forenvironment but effect social and cultural aspects of society. 2. 2  Social and Cultural impact ofHydraulic fracturingHydraulicFracturing can affect social and cultural aspects of life. The production ofshale gas as mentioned in table 2. 1, which is among highest in the UnitedStates which means gas utilize in production and domestic use. When thisprecious natural resource is available freely to masses, the production willincrease which provoke the consumerism, which means people, will purchasethings for the sake of purchasing. Increased consumerism rewards society with urbanizationthat in long run affects cultural identity of people.

Also, fracturing willgenerate unhealthy society, where organic foods come in piles of unhygienicplastic wrap. Where consumerism isolates human in a name of social media. However,(Brandt et al, 2014) believes the increase in employment opportunities due toincreased production helps people to earn a livelihood and live a better life. Similarly, due to new technology the production increased and cost of production decreasedwhich decreases the inflation and save the money of the masses. 2. 3  Economic Gains of HydraulicFracturingThebasic purpose of hydraulic fracturing is to extract more gas and oil to fulfillthe demand of the economy. Since the process made extraction quite easy, thiswill have several impacts on the economy. At first, it will increase theproduction of goods and services in the market because fuel is available atcomparatively low prices because fuel is easily available.

Secondly, it willincrease the employment level in the economy (Chen et al. 2014). With anincrease of oil production, there are many jobs opportunities open in a market, and resolve major macroeconomic problems. Figure 2. 2 shows the employmentopportunities created by oil production in North Dakota. Results show that withthe increase of production employment increases as well. Source: (Brandt et al, 2014)Theremight be concern that profits from exports can decrease because production willbe increase due to fracturing but oil prices are decided internationally, thereis rarely a likeability this may happen therefore economically fracturing isgood and it helps to boost the economy3.

ConclusionThisstudy was an attempt to address potential impact of fracturing in the economy. Thestudy shows that fracturing can affect society harshly when it comes to publichealth, marine life due to pollution its production and usage create. However, it will give benefit economically, it can resolve several macroeconomic problems