No Fracking Method Imagine a world where fresh, clear water is a luxury. Imagine water so contaminated with chemicals that every plant it comes into contact with dies. When trees begin to die, oxygen levels decrease. As vegetation dies, wildlife begins to become extinct. Polluted water flowing through the ground into wells causes immediate contamination. As the water flows out of the sink, you can light a match and set the liquid on fire. Showering with these chemicals is out of the question. Fresh water has become a comfort, rather than a given. Could planet Earth survive this existence? If hydraulic fracturing, otherwise known as fracking, is deemed legal, this issue could be put to the test. Fracking is a process in which chemicals, sand, and water are used in “large volumes… to fracture layers of rock containing gas” (Dolesh 2). When rock breaks, natural gas is released and then collected to be used as energy. The United States is currently sitting on a natural gas bonanza that could stimulate our steadily declining economy. The question is: what price are we willing to pay for a temporary solution? Fracking is a dangerous process that should be considered illegal due to its harmful short- and long-term environmental effects. Before you can see the devastating effects of fracking, you must first understand how fracking works. As stated previously, the main purpose of hydroelectric fracking is to access and harvest the natural gas that lies beneath the Earth's surface. Formed over 400 million years ago by the collision of tectonic plates (Marsa 3), the Marcellus Shale is home to a natural gas gold mine, currently at the center of the fracking debate in the northeastern region of the United States. Unfortunately, you sign in... middle of the paper... er, Cyril Josh. “Fracking Up: New York State Continues Debate Over Gas Extraction Process.” New York Amsterdam News (2011): 4. Academic research completed. Network. November 7, 2011. Dolesh, Richard “Fractured Parks.” Parks and Recreation 46.6 (2011): 56-61. Academic research completed. Network. November 4, 2011.Marsa, Linda. “Fracking Nation.” Discover 32.4 (2011): 62-70. Academic research completed.Web. November 4, 2011. Morriss III, James C., and Christopher D. Smith. “Shale and non-shale: environmental regulation of natural gas development. (Cover article).” Journal of Energy Litigation 9.4(2010): 1-23. Academic research completed. Network. November 18, 2011. Peltier, Robert. “Fracking Issues.” Power 155.8 (2011): 6. Academic research completed. Web.November 18, 2011.Rahman, Hashim. “New York puts fracking on hold.” Planning 77.2 (2011): 4. AcademicSearch completed. Network. November 4. 2011.