1. What’s so bad about (coal seam) gas? WRIT 7220: Controversial Science

2. Outline What is coal seam gas (CSG)? Timeline of the controversy Controversial viewpoints Main themes / discussion

3. What is CSG? Primarily methane Occurs naturally in coal beds Burns cleanly (few NOx or SOx) Equivalent to ‘natural gas’ Sometimes vented to atmosphere in coal mines

4. What is CSG? CSG held by water pressure Water / CSG mix pumped out and separated May require hydraulic fracturing Various options for water

5. Timeline of a controversy ClimateSmart 2050: 15% from gas by 2010, then 18% by 2020 QLD gas scheme: 13% from gas by 2005 Queensland Petroleum: wells drilled 2009-2010 [source: Queensland’s Petroleum, Queensland Government, February 2011]

6. Timeline of a controversy Fox doesn’t have the science chops required to explicate the fracking process accessibly, and too many animated illustrations whiz by in a nebulous froth of blinking maps and lists of presumably toxic substances

7. Timeline of a controversy

8. Timeline of a controversy

9. Timeline of a controversy Gasland released I start blogging about CSG ...

10. One topic, many views: farmers Farming land is being taken over by CSG mining Fraccing could poison the groundwater Farmers have no rights on their own land

11. One topic, many views: politicians The resources boom creates jobs and is good for the economy Regulations are in place to prevent, monitor and rectify impacts CSG is a bridging fuel to cleaner energy sources

12. One topic, many views: miners CSG has been mined for 60 years and is a proven technology CSG mines are heavily regulated CSG mines provide jobs and help rural economies QLD risks losing income if CSG not pursued

13. One topic, many views: community It’s happening too fast Impacts are poorly understood The community is not consulted Political and mining interests are different to the community’s

14. Main Themes RISK What does each party view as a risk? What constitutes ‘acceptable risk’? How do you define ‘worth’ / what are you values? Individual vs community risk Minimise risk or maximise opportunity?

15. Main Themes TRUST Do you trust the government to protect your interests? Do you trust the government to understand the science and develop appropriate regulations? Do you trust the industry to follow government regulations? Do you trust the media to provide accurate and balanced information?

16. Main Themes COMMUNICATION Who should be included in discussions / decisions? Communication and disclosure vs proprietary interests Consultation vs information: whose opinions matter? Is communication tainted by an agenda? Communication of scientific and technical material