Fracking

            Fracking is the process of pumping a mixture of chemicals into the ground at high pressure in order to loosen the rock and release trapped oil and gas. In the article “EPA: Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination,” a new EPA study was described. The new study found that fracking fluids were in fact leaking out of the oil wells and into the ground water.  Synthetic compounds thought to be from fracking fluids were detected in the groundwater around the town of Pavilion, Wyoming.  

            The most disturbing thing about the EPA study, is how mixed up in politics the science is. Somehow, merely challenging the position that fracking is safe can create political firestorm with people taking sides. It seems as though many are more concerned about profits than they are about major pollution. It seems logical that pumping synthetic compounds into the earth at high pressure would lead to ground water pollution. The safeguard against this pollution is supposed to be steel and concrete barriers that must contain the fluids on their journey. It seems again plausible that these barriers could occasionally fail, and that the concrete may not be poured properly from time to time.

            In the article, Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla was quoted as finding the EPA report “offensive” and accused the EPA of bias. A truly scientific study would have no bias, and should only reveal the truth. Assuming this study is airtight, major changes to regulations and possibly the legality of fracking must be considered. One important detail about the opposition to any scientific digging about fracking, was the secrecy surrounding the fracking fluid’s composition. The drilling companies were withholding information about the compounds contained within the fracking fluid, making it much more difficult to get to the truth. Many of the compounds were thought to be carcinogenic, and are being pumped into the earth in large volumes. If fracking is to continue, I think the concrete barriers should be guaranteed not to fail, and the fracking fluids should be regulated to prevent any major health and environmental risks. It is incredibly unlikely that the drilling companies have the public health or environmental health prioritized over profits, and thorough scientific testing must be continued to ensure fracking’s safety.

Turtle Island Themes III

        In the chapter "For the Children" I focused on three poems: Dusty Braces, The Jemez Pueblo Ring, and For the Children. Dusty Braces is about Snyder's hatred of the acts of his ancestors. He sees the work of past generations "progress" as a destructive act. He says that his mustached lumberjack ancestors killed off  the grizzly and the cougar. When Snyder says "nine bows. Your itch in my boots too." he may be sympathizing with extinct species, or may be saying that he wants to connect with more distant ancestors that lived off the land. In The Jemez Pueblo Ring, Snyder the life of an old ring caught under the construction of modern Japan. The ring is discovered a century later when the construction above is recycled, like a time capsule from a past civilization to the east. This poem shares the theme of connecting with the distant past. For the Children is about how "progress" and growth are bringing us down, but if future generations can survive the challenges ahead they'll need to work together. His message is to "stay together, learn the flowers, go light." For the Children continues the use of vivid imagery, and the theme of the destruction of nature. In this chapter, he also seems to want to connect with the distant past in order to aid the future of humanity.

Turtle Island Themes II

     In the chapter Magpie's Song I focused on three poems: On San Gabriel Ridge, Black Mesa Mine #1, and Mother Earth: Her Whales. In San Gabriel Ridge, Snyder seems to see his past relationships in fox scat. In the same way that he can see the fox's past in what the fox has eaten, he sees his past loves and relationships. In Black Mesa Mine #1, Snyder describes in great detail a scene on a mountain where bulldozers are tearing it apart. The air is filled with dust, and the mountain is being reduced to gravel. Snyder sees a parallel between the mountain destroyed by industrial society and the Navajo settlement down the road that is left in disrepair with only dried up poles and logs remaining. In Mother Earth: Her Whales, Gary Snyder details his thoughts on the world and how nations are ruining the environment. Brazilian forests, whales, deer, tigers,boars, monkeys, and all of nature are being destroyed by nations and their priorities. Humans making decisions are described as robots and he expresses disdain towards nationalism and the treatment of the wildlife by various countries. All three poems use vivid imagery and both Black Mesa Mine #1 and Mother Earth: Her Whales focus on themes of humanity destroying nature. Mountains and animals are given personalities and their treatment is seen as an injustice.

Turtle Island Themes

     

                Turtle Island by Gary Snyder is focused on several key themes. I focused on the chapter Manzanita in my reading, and the chapter's key themes include vivid descriptions of nature, references to native American tribes, and the destruction of the environment and native peoples by settlement. Coyote Valley Spring describes a scene in nature, possibly in the past, where life is thriving. The poem ends by mentioning a lost tribe floating in their fishing boats. The poem, The Dead by the Side of the Road is a much darker poem. It focuses on the way nature is used by man. Animals are killed and skinned as trophies. Animals become tools and there is little respect for nature. The poem also seems to use roads as a metaphor for human progress and industrialization. The animals and nature are casualties of our expansion. Control Burn describes how native tribes used to clear the forest of excess brush regularly. It prevented major forest fires and was an important part of maintaining the forests. Today even with our modern technology, we are taking worse care of the forests than they did centuries ago.