Environmental risks of economic development case studies

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Fracking - California

Background:

California has 65% of USA's deposits

Opportunity to be largest oil and gas by 2020 due to fracking

Opportunities:

8-11 million barrels per year oil

604-747 billion cubic m of gas

California unemployment: 8%, fracking could create 200 000 jobs

$284 million to US economy

Oil imports down from 60% to 28%

Threats:

Methanol and benzene in fracking - can go to aquifers and drinking water contaminated - human health

Methane released (56 times worse than CO2) - pollution

Wildlife suffers - deforestation --> endangered species like condor- food chains broken

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