Tatamagouche, NS--Citizens from across Nova Scotia will converge on the NS legislature on Earth Day, April 22, 2011, to call for a ban on fracking.
"Fracking threatens air, water and quality of life," said Michale Jensen, a resident on the North Shore. "There is no better day than Earth Day to launch our demand for a ban."
Fracking is a process used to extract natural gs from shale layers. The Government of Nova Scotia has issued exploration licenses for more than 2.3 million hectares.
New Jersey and New York States, the Province of Quebec and France have issued bans or moratoriums on fracking. Cities such as Pittsburg and Buffalo have issued bans and refuse to accept the toxic wastewater. In Nova Scotia, Inverness County Council passed a resolution supporting a province-wide ban on fracking.
We know that the Government of Nova Scotia has announced an internal review of fracking," said Meghan MacCulloch. "Its just a diversion. How can you ever justify injecting mutagens, carcinogens, endocrine disrupters and other toxic chemicals into the ground? We need to stop exploration now. A ban is the only logical response.
"The government keeps talking about best practices. There is no best way to contaminate the environment. This is our message on Earth Day."
Every week new evidence comes to light on the health and environmental damages caused by fracking. Last week a Cornell University study that indicates that natural gas from shale may produce more greenhouse gases than coal.
The rally in Halifax will take place from 1pm to 2pm in front of legislature. Citizens will be attending from Cape Breton, the Valley, the North Shore and New Brunswick. More information can be found on the facebook page: "Rally to Stop Fracking in Nova Scotia."
Contact: Michael Jensen: 902.351.2739
The site for the Halifax local of The Media Co-op has been archived and will no longer be updated. Please visit the main Media Co-op website to learn more about the organization.