No Fracking MethodImagine a world where fresh, clear water was a luxury. Imagine water so contaminated with chemicals that all the plants it comes into contact with die. As trees begin to die, oxygen levels decrease. As vegetation dies, wildlife begins to disappear. Polluted water flowing into wells causes instant contamination. When the water drains from the sink, you can light a match and ignite the liquid. 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, also known as fracking, were deemed legal, this issue could be put to the test. Hydraulic fracturing is a process in which chemicals, sand, and water are used in “large quantities…to fracture layers of gaseous rock” (Dolesh 2). When the rock breaks, natural gas is released and then collected for use as energy. The United States currently has a goldmine of natural gas that could boost our ever-declining economy. The question is, what price are we willing to pay for a temporary solution? Hydraulic fracturing is a dangerous process that should be considered illegal due to its harmful short- and long-term environmental effects. Before we see the devastating effects of hydraulic fracturing, we must first understand how hydraulic fracturing works. As previously stated, the primary goal of hydrofracturing 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, which is currently at the center of the debate over hydraulic fracturing in the region from the northeastern United States. Unfortunately, access... middle of paper ...... uh, Cyril Josh. “Fracking Up: New York State Continues Debate Over Gas Extraction Process.” » New York Amsterdam News (2011): 4. Academic research completed. Internet. 7Nov. 2011. Dolesh, Richard “Fractured Parks.” Parks and Recreation 46.6 (2011): 56-61. Academic research completed. Internet. November 4, 2011. Marsa, Linda. “Hydraulic Fracturing Nation.” Discover 32.4 (2011): 62-70. Academic research completed.Web. November 4, 2011. Morriss III, James C. and Christopher D. Smith. “Shales and shales: environmental regulation of natural gas development.” (Cover story). Journal of Energy Litigation 9.4 (2010): 1-23. Academic research completed. Internet. November 18, 2011. Peltier, Robert. “Hydraulic fracturing problems”. Power 155.8 (2011): 6. Academic research completed. Web.November 18, 2011.Rahman, Hashim. “New York suspends fracking.” Planning 77.2 (2011): 4. AcademicSearch completed. Internet. November 4. 2011.