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Communities Divided Over Natural Gas Drilling

Secondary

Description

The film explores an Associated Press report on the issue of "fracking" - the process by which natural gas is released when rock formations beneath the earth's surface are fractured. The video serves to identify the concerns of those who oppose the process with reference to the contamination of local water supplies and the attendant health risks, the reduction in property values, and the industrialization of rural areas. Defenders of the process point to the financial benefits realized by those who own the land involved, the contribution natural gas may make to US energy security, the relative merits of "clean" energy as opposed to oil and coal, and the benefits that a ready supply of energy may bring to the US economy.

The video, therefore identifies certain, but not all of the issues that have become part of what is a very heated debate occurring in all countries. 

 

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

Communities Divided Over Natural Gas Drilling may be used in combination with a number of other resources (videos and lesson plans) that allow students to explore the topic of fracking. This particular video may be used to introduce the societal divisions assocated with the issue in that it identifies the players and their competing perspectives. It may aslo be used to begin an examination of the media reporting of the issue. Students might analyze to what degree this video presents a balanced view of the topic before going on to examine and report on other media sources. 

The debate over the merits and dangers associated with "fracking" may be studied in those units dealing with resource management and human-environmental interaction (Geography, Environmental Science, Science, Technology and Society); units that explore the concept of sustainable development (Environmental Studies, Geography); of appropriate technology (Science, Technology and Society);human health and the environment (Wellness Studies); government regulations (Law, Political Science).

As also suggested, this video and others dealing with fracking may be used in units of study related to bias, perspective consciousness and balanced reporting (Language Arts and Media Studies) 

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

  • Step 1Select a province
  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 30: : Energy and the Environment
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Social Studies 10 - Canada and the World: 1914 to the Present: Worldviews lead to different perspectives and ideas about developments in Canadian society
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Chemistry 11: Organic chemistry and its applications have significant implications for human health, society, and the environment
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explorations in Social Studies 11: Physical features and natural resources influence demographic patterns and population distribution (adapted from Human Geography
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 12: Human actions affect the quality of water and its ability to sustain life.
      • Law
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Law Studies 12: Understanding legal rights and responsibilities allows citizens to participate more fully in society
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Human Geography 12: Human activities alter landscapes in a variety of ways.
        • Urban Studies 12: Decision making in urban and regional planning requires balancing political, economic, social, and environmental factors
  • Manitoba
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Geographic Issues of the 21st Century: Natural Resources
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • World Geography: A Human Perspective - World Resources, Energy, and Environment
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Interdisciplinary Topics in Science 40S: Science, Technology, Society and the Environment
  • New Brunswick
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Learning and Living Sustainably (STSE)
        • Science 10 Science for Sustainable Societies
        • Science 10 Science for Sustainable Societies: Scientific Literacy
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Advanced Environmental Science 120: Earth Systems
        • Introduction to Environmental Science 120: An Overview of Environmental Science
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Canadian Geography 120: Patterns and Systems in the Human and Natural World
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Canadian Geography 1202: Economic Issues in Canadian Geography
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 3205: Introduction to Environmental Science
  • Nova Scotia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • AP Environmental Science: Energy Consumption and Resources
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Global Geography:Resources and Commodities
  • Ontario
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 9
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Issues in Canadian Geography (Academic): Interactions in the Physical Environment
        • Issues in Canadian Geography (Academic): Managing Canada's Resources and Industries
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Hydrocarbons and Energy
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Regional Geography (Univ./College Prep.) Dynamics and Change
        • Regional Geography (Univ./College Prep.): Sustainability and Stewardship
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • (College Prep.) Chemistry in the Environment
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Global Connections
        • The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep) : Ecological Systems: Interactions and Interdependence
        • The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship of Natural Resources
        • The Environment & Resource Management (Univ/College Prep.) Community Action
        • The Environment & Resource Management (Workplace Preparation): Human-Environment Interactions
        • The Environment & Resource Management (Workplace Prfeparation)
        • World Issues: A Geographic Analysis (College Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship
        • World Issues: A Geographic Analysis (Univ. Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship
  • Prince Edward Island
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 621A: Natural Resources
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Geography 621A Global Issues : Inquiry- What are the issues?
        • Geography 631A Global Issues: What are the issues?
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Social Studies 10 - Canada and the World: 1914 to the Present: Worldviews lead to different perspectives and ideas about developments in Canadian society
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Chemistry 11: Organic chemistry and its applications have significant implications for human health, society, and the environment
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explorations in Social Studies 11: Physical features and natural resources influence demographic patterns and population distribution (adapted from Human Geography
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 12: Human actions affect the quality of water and its ability to sustain life.
      • Law
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Law Studies 12: Understanding legal rights and responsibilities allows citizens to participate more fully in society
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Human Geography 12: Human activities alter landscapes in a variety of ways.
        • Urban Studies 12: Decision making in urban and regional planning requires balancing political, economic, social, and environmental factors

Themes Addressed

Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)

  • Climate Change

Energy (1)

  • Energy Generation

Governance (1)

  • Government Regulations

Human Health & Environment (1)

  • Environmental Contaminants & Health Hazards

Land Use & Natural Resources (1)

  • Rural Issues

Waste Management (1)

  • Hazardous Waste

Water (2)

  • Water Quality
  • Water Use