Fracking is reckless, unsafe and totally unnecessary
The UK government’s decision to overturn the ban on fracking in England was “reckless” and should be stopped, according to the Scottish Greens, who say that we “cannot frack our way out” of the climate crisis.
The comments from the Scottish Greens Energy and Environment spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP, come ahead of an opposition debate in Westminster.
Mark Ruskell MSP said:
"The decision to overturn the fracking ban in England may not directly impact us in Scotland, but carbon emissions anywhere impact people everywhere. We all have an interest in every government taking the climate action that is so badly needed.
"Fracking is unsafe and totally unnecessary. It has been opposed by communities all across the UK and beyond, and we stand in support and solidarity with everyone that will be affected by this reckless decision.
"It is also very costly and inefficient. Even by the industry's own estimates, it would take years before fracking was to produce anywhere near the quantities of gas needed to make any kind of impact on demand. Almost a decade has already been spent trying to set up the industry in the UK, with lots of risk and no gain. We simply cannot afford to waste any more time on it.
"Unlike the ‘frack first, ask later’ approach of Liz Truss and Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Scottish Government has taken an evidence-led approach and has had a moratorium in place since 2015. We hope that the UK government listens to reason and reverses course.
“We cannot frack our way out of the climate crisis. Even trying to do so is climate vandalism. What we need is a far reaching and immediate investment in renewable energy and a just transition away from fossil fuels. Climate change knows no borders, and nor should our response.”