Many HPSI members, and faithful HPSI blog followers, live in Peterborough, or within the Greater Peterborough Area, and therefore frequently benefit from the exceptional offerings of our postsecondary communities, Trent University and Fleming College. One of the wonderful things about living in the midst of academia is the opportunity to stay in tune with the latest in research on issues that impact our lives today, and influence our collective tomorrows.
Sustainable energy is a prime example of a critical issue looming large for Canadians as we struggle to meet world, and our own, energy demands while attempting to minimize negative impacts on air and water quality. Intense debate has centered around the enormous greenhouse gas footprint of the oil sands, and recent research has also shown that tapping shale bed reserves of natural gas may not be the more environmentally friendly alternative it has been touted to be.
The release of natural gas using a drilling technology termed ‘fracking’ has raised some serious concerns regarding the potential of this process to contaminate the air and ground water. Frightening scenes from Josh Fox’s 2010 documentary “Gasland” show flammable tap water, and lab results demonstrating high levels of toxins left in the gas well to contaminate ground water.
To help us wade through the complexities of the debate, Trent University, through The David Schindler Professorship in Aquatic Science, is offering a free public lecture on the topic of ‘fracking’.
Please join Dr. Paul Frost, the David Schindler Endowed Professor of Aquatic Science, as he brings “the rock star” of fracking, Dr. Robert Howarth of Cornell University, to the Wenjack Theatre at Trent University on May 23, 2013.
This is a great chance to learn the science behind the debate, a chance to become informed!
Information regarding the lecture is posted below, and was copied from the Trent University website.
Shale Gas: The Wrong Energy Choice for the 21st Century
May 23, 2013 : 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
A presentation by Dr. Robert Howarth
Ecosystem Ecologist, Cornell University
Thursday, May 23, 2013
7:00 pm
Wenjack Theatre, Otonabee College
Trent University
Natural gas trapped in shale rock is being extracted across the US and parts of Canada by hydraulic fracturing (fracking), which involves using pressurized water and chemicals to release otherwise unobtainable natural gas deposits. Dr. Howarth will examine the risks to the environment, including water and local air quality but focusing on global change, posed by fracking and show how future energy needs can be met without this or other types of fossil fuels
This is a free event, open to the public
A reception will follow the lecture
For more information please contact Julie English 705-748-1011 ext. 7176
or julieenglish@trentu.ca