Fracking speech by Jane Brophy to Trafford Council

Councillor Jane Brophy's Fracking speech at 2 hours 14 minutes:

Fracking speech

This motion reaffirms Trafford's opposition to Fracking.

It is now very clear that consequences of fracking will be harmful for our borough, our region and our planet.

Fracking is a harmful distraction from investment in clean and renewable energy.

The environmental risks of 'Fracking' are numerous.

We know, from the previous motion, that to protect ourselves from runaway climate change, the majority of our fossil fuel reserves must remain in the ground.

Fracking makes a mockery of this imperative to reduce carbon emissions. Plus it produces many other side effects that are detrimental to our environment.

Groundwater, which in many areas supplies our drinking water may be potentially contaminated by fracking.

Fracking is an intensive industrial process with around 50 heavy goods vehicle movements a day, usually in areas where infrastructure is already poor.

There are other risks to the environment including a higher risk of earthquakes, according to recent reports from Lancashire. Plus the processes add yet more to air pollution.

Extensive production of shale gas will undermine investment in renewables.

Fracking will hinder the UKs ability to decarbonize its economy and fulfil the requirements of the UK Climate Change Act (2008) and the Paris Climate Agreement (2015).

Fracking, along with other similar processes is not only worse for the environment than renewable energy practices but contributes much less economic benefit.

Fracking presents a clear threat to our local environment and exacerbates global climate change.

The Public Attitudes Tracker Survey showed that only 19% of the British public support Fracking whereas 81% support renewable energy;

Renewable energy creates far more jobs than shale gas extraction.

Let's reiterate our opposition to Fracking in Trafford.

And let's lead by example in the development of low-carbon energy supplies.

Councillor Jane Brophy