Shale Gas and Fracking: The Science Behind the Controversy

by Michael Stephenson

Overview

Shale Gas and Fracking: The Science Behind the Controversy explains the relevant geological principles before examining the peer-reviewed evidence and presenting it through a simple and compelling illustrated narrative. Each chapter focuses on a particular controversy, such contamination of well water with gas from fracking, and follows a similar format: starting with the principles; then detailing peer-reviewed case studies for earthquakes, radioactivity, and climate change; and concluding with a judgment of the general risks involved.

Shale Gas and Fracking: The Science Behind the Controversy provides readers with the unbiased information they need to make informed decisions on the controversial issue of fracking.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780128016060
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	02/20/2015
Edition description:	UK ed.
Pages:	170
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Michael Stephenson is an expert on energy and climate change and has a unique mixture of experience in modern climate and energy science, policy, “deep time” climate science, and coal and petroleum geology. He has published two books on related subjects and over 80 peer-reviewed papers. His recently published book Shale gas and fracking: the science behind the controversy (Elsevier) won an ‘honourable mention’ at the Association of American Publishers PROSE awards in Washington DC in February 2016. He is also Editor-in-Chief of the Elsevier Journal Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. In addition, as Chief Scientist of the British Geological Survey, Michael Stephenson has represented UK science interests in energy, as well as providing extensive advice to the UK Government.

Table of Contents

Preface1. The Fuss About Shale

2. Shale, Shale, Everywhere

3. To Frack or Not to Frack

4. Gas in our Water

5. Did the Earth Move?

6. The Shale Gas Factory

7. Shale Gas and Climate

8. Keeping Watch

9. The Science Behind the Controversy

Glossary

Conversion Table

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Explores the geology and environmental aspects of shale gas, making clear the science that matters to support informed choices

Editorial Reviews

"...an up-to-date review of this new energy source from a UK perspective...This honest attempt at describing the shale gas opportunity/threat scientifically should be read by all…" —GEO ExPro

"...one of the best introductory references available on the subject of shale gas and fracking...strongly recommended for introductory courses on unconventional energy production and discussion seminars...Summing Up: Highly recommended." —Choice

"…an unbiased and highly readable overview of fracking...an important book that should be read by anyone concerned or interested in shale gas or the issues surrounding fracking..."

"Shale Gas and Fracking: The Science Behind the Controversy is an important book that should be read by anyone concerned or interested in shale gas or the issues surrounding fracking. Accessible and informative, this book is perfect for general readers, industry and environmental professionals, regulators, politicians, community leaders, business people, students, and anyone else who might be impacted by the production and use of shale gas - which in the coming years is likely to be everyone!" —Rochelle Caviness, Tundraco

"For both its content and accessibility, this book deserves to become the ‘go-to’ volume on shale gas and fracking for policy-makers, economists as well as geologists, NGOs and local communities. Thanks to the writer’s skill as a science communicator, this book is for everyone and anyone interested in geoscience and how it can galvanise a society." —John Midgeley, Geoscientist Online

From the Publisher