We urge Canada's Ministry of Natural Resources of Nova Scotia to reject any bids for exploration of oil and gas in the territories of North Shore within the province of Nova Scotia by means of induced hydraulic fracturing (fracking) through Energy Companies, and any other similar proposals in the coming months of 2012.

       Hydraulic fracturing is a controversial form of extracting natural gas and oil from rocks that has evidence of environmental issues and impacts on human life. Initially, several hectares of land need to be cleared for each natural gas well. In order to access the gas, a pressurized mix of water, sand, and variety of chemicals (many of which are known to be air pollutants, are related to chronic health problems, and/or are possible human carcinogens) are pumped into a well. The pressure causes veins to open in the rock, which allows the gas or oil to be extracted. Consequently, environmental concerns materialize that include pollutants into the air, groundwater contamination, earthquakes, greenhouse gas emissions, and many more. Proponents of fracking point to the vast amount of formerly inaccessible hydrocarbons the process can extract, but cannot justify the significance and impacts of fracking to the province's groundwater and the environment posed by the physical process and chemicals involved.

       We, the undersigned, would like to bring attention to the problems associated with fracking and want to ensure that Nova Scotia will implement green policies and renewable resources rather than creating environmental problems and damages. It is a good time for all of us to stop and think about how much we are using and how much we are wasting, as well as our environmental impact.

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