My colleague Brian Frick with PC(USA) Camp and Conference Ministries wrote this blog post on hydraulic-fracturing, or fracking. Brian's post on the "Here I Am" blog looks at fracking from the point of view of a camp and conference center, but this way of looking at it can be translated to any setting, as we're all charged with caring for God's good creation.
BREAKING NEWS: Fracking (extracting natural gas from underground shale
deposits through fracturing) has been scientifically linked to water contamination.
Take a moment and listen to the "Here and Now" episode discussing the issue.
‘Fracking’ Scientifically Linked To Water Contamination
And here are articles of interest on the Fracking issue
Scientific Study Links Flammable Drinking Water to Fracking
Duke University Fracking Research
Buried Secrets Gas Drilling's Environmental Threat
Hydrofracked? One Man’s Mystery Leads to a Backlash Against Natural Gas Drilling
And a documentary on the subject
‘Gasland’ Up For Oscar, After Uncovering Dangers In Natural Gas Drilling
Though the chemicals shoved into the ground with massive amounts of water to fracture (frack) the rock and extract the gas, have not been found in drinking water, towns near "fracked" gas wells have shown elevated levels of Methane in their drinking water. That's right, you can light the water on fire in some places and this is the water the people drink.
Questions to ponder and comment on:
Is this the water you want to have in your neighborhood? At your conference center/camp? Is the $ realized through sale of gas rights and the "fracking" of the gas that may be under your center, worth the environmental impact? Would you send your church group or kids to a place that has elevated levels of methane in the drinking water? How do you share this information with others who may want to capitalize on gas revenue?
It's like the logic of having Soda Machines in Public Schools: I have tried to explain the logic (or lack of in my opinion) behind selling gas rights at our conference centers to being like the logic behind having Soda Machines in public schools. Sure the school gets revenue, but studies show that the students get fatter and have higher risk for diabetes in such schools. Is the revenue worth the impact? Now replace soda machine with fracking for gas and schools with conference center and you get my point.
I know I come on strong on this subject, but I do not think that harvesting natural resources such as gas from our centers is in line with the missional ministries of our camps. The financial pressures are growing, but this is not a solution that should be on the table. If this is your only option, you have bigger issues than keeping the conference center open.
I would LOVE for you to call me and discuss this more. It is a topic that comes up more and more in conversations throughout our church.
Rev. Craig Goodwin, a pastor at Millwood Community Presbyterian Church in Millwood, Washington asked if I might be interested in reading his new book Year of Plenty and mailed me a copy earlier this year. It is always exciting to hear from Presbyterians who are involved in sustainability. Subtitled “One Suburban Family, Four Rules, and 365 Days of Homegrown Adventure in Pursuit of Christian Living,” the book chronicles the Goodwin family’s year of sustainable Christian living and makes many theological connections to a way of living that takes into account God’s people and earth. Learn more about the book and visit Goodwin’s blog, also titled “Year of Plenty.”
The project started over dinner just after Christmas in 2007, as Craig and his wife Nancy, also a pastor of Millwood Community Presbyterian Church, reflected on their harried Christmas buying and wondered how they might make changes in what sometimes feels like an overwhelmingly materialistic world. In asking “How could we do it differently?” they started a year of great changes for their household of four, as they decided to buy only goods that fit into the following four categories:
Goodwin’s story is grounded and not self-congratulatory in the face of such a large undertaking. It is also often humorous as he details making a homemade piñata for a birthday party for one of his two young daughters, learning how to can food from the family garden, trying to find a local source for flour and other staples, and raising chickens in the backyard. With these stories come theological reflections exploring the meaning of “plenty” and opportunities for growth that come from incorporating our faith in making decisions about everyday living and consumption.
I enjoyed Goodwin’s emphasis on how living out the details of sustainability – raising chickens, meeting with local farmers, digging in his backyard garden – opened his eyes to larger issues of sustainability. Through the details he learned about the problems of factory farming, difficulties for local farmers, and perils of conventional agriculture. Goodwin identified his family’s steps towards sustainability as “acts of hope,” which is a helpful way of framing our efforts to care for creation.
As you consider how your faith leads you to care for God’s creation and people, think about what small steps you can start with that may help you see the larger landscape of sustainability. Or, if you have taken these starter steps, where do you see opportunities to make larger connections?
Learn more about the book: Year of Plenty by Craig Goodwin, published in 2011 by sparkhouse press.