CITIZEN’S JURY ON FRACKING
2
Introduction
The method of hydraulic fracking (fracturing) has been used to recover oil and gas
from rocks beneath the earth's surface. Cuadrilla, an energy firm was the first to start fracking
in the United Kingdom until their operation was stopped in 2011 fearing tremors and
subsequently earthquake; thereby marked as being controversial and risky. Public opinion
gathered by surveys and media polls have recorded that there is a mixed public opinion on
fracking which tends more toward anti fracking sentiments. Moreover, there are research
works that have conducted survey for gathering public beliefs regarding (Howell 2018). In
this regard, a citizens' jury could be appointed and vested with the responsibility of
understanding public opinion towards fracking.
Aim of the citizens' jury
The citizens' jury aims to gain a better understanding of public opinion about
hydraulic fracking.
Purpose
As discussed, hydraulic fracking involves certain adverse impact on human lives as
well as on environment like health impacts, carbon dioxide emission, atmospheric pollution
from methane gas emission and flaring, induced seismicity, groundwater contamination from
methane, light and noise pollution, road traffic damage, impact on water availability, et
cetera. Therefore, fracking has been marked as controversial and risky (Neil et al. 2018).
However, it is also known that recovery of new sources of shale gas would open new
industrial avenues and community benefits like industrialisation of rural areas, job creation,
reduced fuel cost, cleaner renewable energy than coal, and other benefits to various industries
in the country and beyond. In this regard it is essential to understand the mixed opinion of the
public on fracking with the help of a citizens’ jury.

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Citizen’s Jury on Fracking | Assignment

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