Hello, welcome to today's lesson.

My name's Mrs. Hastings, and I'm very pleased to be teaching you today.

Today's lesson is from the unit What Can We Do About Global Problems? And today we are going to be considering the question, why is fracking controversial? So I'm really looking forward to taking on this learning journey today.

We're going to learn lots together.

Some of it might be quite challenging, really gonna have to think hard and consider our opinions about fracking.

Let's get on with the lesson.

So in today's lesson, you will be able to, by the end of it, describe what fracking is and explain the risks and benefits of fracking.

So there are some really important ground rules because this is a controversial topic, and we all have different opinions about it that we must adhere to.

Firstly, we must listen to others.

It is okay to disagree with each other, but we should listen properly before making assumptions or deciding how to respond.

When disagreeing, challenge the statement, not the person.

Respect privacy.

We can discuss examples, but do not use names or descriptions that identify anyone, including ourselves.

Choose your level of participation.

Everyone has the right to choose not to answer a question or join in a discussion.

We never put anyone on the spot.

And lastly, there is no judgement.

We can explore beliefs and misunderstandings about a topic without fear of being judged.

So our keywords for today's session, firstly, fracking.

This is a method of drilling into the earth to extract oil and natural gas by injecting high-pressure fluids to crack rocks, and release the resources trapped inside.

And renewable energy.

This is energy that comes from natural sources like the sun, wind, and water, which are constantly replenished and won't run out.

So there are two parts to our learning cycle today.

The first learning cycle is the question, what are the benefits and risks of fracking? And then the second learning cycle is, what is your opinion about fracking? So let's crack on with the first learning cycle.

What are the benefits and risks of fracking? So here we have a diagram demonstrating what fracking is.

So fracking or hydraulic fracturing is a method to get natural gas, shale gas, or oil from deep underground.

Companies drill into the ground and pump a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals at high pressure to crack the rocks, allowing oil and gas to rise to the surface.

Opinions on whether fracking is good or bad are very divided.

And that is what we're going to be looking at.

What are the benefits, but what are the risks? And coming up with our own opinion about fracking.

So let's check our understanding about the process of fracking.

What happens during the process of fracking? A, a high pressure special mixture is pumped into the ground to create fractures in rock and release oil and gas.

B, large machines dig deep into the ground to remove rocks, which are then burned to release energy.

Or C, oil and gas are collected from the surface using a special mixture without needing to drill into the ground.

So what happens during the process of fracking? Is it A, B, or C? The answer is A, well done if you got that correct.

So in the UK, we buy much of our gas from other countries around the world.

Supporters of fracking in the UK argue that it could help the UK reduce its reliance on expensive gas imports as it allows the extraction of domestic natural gas.

So we would frack our own gas in this country rather than having to import it from other countries like the USA.

They argue that since fossil fuels are limited and will eventually run out, fracking offers a way to access more energy resources locally.

So that's why supporters of fracking in the UK argue we should frack for gas.

Some people argue that fracking benefits the UK by creating jobs in drilling and engineering, and that helps local communities.

They also argue that it might lower energy prices.

So how much it costs us to pay for our gas and our electricity, as it reduces reliance on other countries for energy.

Some argue that shell gas produces less carbon dioxide than coal, which is another fossil fuel, making it a cleaner fossil fuel so it releases less greenhouse gases.

However, and it's really important to understand this.

It is still a fossil fuel which will contribute to climate change by giving off those CO2 emissions.

So many countries have banned fracking as they believe that the environmental risks, the risks to the climate and cause of climate change are much too high.

Countries who have banned fracking include Scotland, France, and Spain.

So why do you think that Scotland, France, and Spain amongst other countries, have taken this decision to ban fracking? Have a conversation with your learning partner and come up with some reasons why you think they may have taken the decision to ban fracking.

Pause the video whilst you do this.

So countries like Scotland, France, and Spain have banned fracking because they believe there are huge risks, not just environmental ones, but additional ones as well.

So they include polluting water and air, which is obviously an environmental risk.

There has been evidence of them triggering small earthquakes in and around the area, where the fracking is taking place.

Disturbing wildlife because habitats are disrupted, contributing to climate change by increasing fossil fuel use.

As we said, shale gas, even though it produces less CO2 than other natural gases and coal, it's still a fossil fuel that produces CO2.

Exposing nearby residents to harmful chemicals that might end up in kind of water supplies or in the ground.

And then that might disrupt farmers fields and crops and things like that.

Depleting water supplies, it uses a lot of water to extract shale gas and it can therefore cause shortages in water-scarce areas.

So there are lots of risks to fracking that perhaps outweigh the benefits of fracking.

So let's check our understanding of the risks of fracking.

Which of the following is a risk of fracking? A, it can help improve water quality.

B, it can increase the amount of gas available.

C, it can cause pollution and harm the environment.

Or D, it can reduce the need for renewable energy.

So which is a risk of fracking A, B, C, or D? Okay, the answer is C.

It can cause pollution and harm the environment.

So that's a significant risk of fracking.

Well done if you got that right.

So people who are opposed to fracking, people who think that fracking should be banned and shouldn't happen at all, argue that using alternative sources for our energy is a much better solution.

So for example, they would argue that we should use renewable energies such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.

So hydroelectric water power.

So maybe using wave power because they are clean, sustainable sources of energy that reduce the reliance on fossil fuels.

They're not going to run out, and they don't produce CO2 emissions.

Nuclear energy.

So this provides large amounts of energy with very low carbon emissions.

But there are concerns about safety and nuclear waste concerns.

Geothermal energy.

So this uses heat from the earth's core to generate electricity and provide heating.

This is again, a clean and renewable resource.

Biomass energy.

So this generates energy from organic materials like plants and waste, though it can still release some emissions.

And lastly, people who are opposed to fracking believe that we should invest in more energy efficient technologies.

So energy efficiency, investing in energy saving technologies can reduce overall demand for fossil fuels.

Alternative sources for energy like wind, solar, and hydropower help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

These sources are cleaner for the environment and can create jobs in areas like manufacturing, installation and maintenance.

So one of the arguments about fracking was that it could increase jobs, but equally, if we move to more renewable energies that can create jobs.

They also increase domestic energy security, meaning that we are producing it by ourselves.

More of our own energy within the UK.

Again, outweighing that argument that we are too reliant on fossil fuel energy from importing it.

So we should produce our own fossil fuels.

Actually, if we produce our own renewable energy sources, that reduces that need for relying on other countries for our energy.

So reducing the need to import from other countries makes our energy supply more reliable and more sustainable.

So let's check our understanding of the benefits and risks of fracking.

So I want you to match the energy source to its main benefits.

So we've looked at some of the alternatives to fossil fuels and to fracking for shale gas.

So which energy source matches which benefit? Renewable energy, geothermal energy, biomass energy, energy efficiency.

So they are your energy sources and then you need to match them to one of the following.

A clean and renewable resource that uses the earth's natural heat to generate energy, uses organic materials to produce energy, reducing food waste and fossil fuels helps reduce energy demand and the need for fossil fuels lowering environmental impact overall and reduces reliance on fossil fuels and is sustainable, as it doesn't deplete natural resources.

So match each of those energy sources to the main benefit.

Okay, so let's go through the answers.

So renewable energy reduces reliance on fossil fuels and is sustainable as it doesn't deplete natural resources.

Geothermal energy is a clean and renewable resource that uses the earth's natural heat to generate energy.

Biomass energy uses organic materials to produce energy, reducing food waste and fossil fuels.

And therefore energy efficiency helps reduce energy demand and the need for fossil fuels lowering environmental impact overall.

Well done if you've got those right.

So onto our first practise task for the learning cycle, what are the benefits and risks of fracking? So I would like you to read the benefits and risks of fracking that are underneath the table and add them to the correct column in the table.

So you've got benefits of fracking on one side and risks of fracking on the other side.

So you need to read each of the statements and write it into the correct column in the table.

So it can cause water pollution, making water sources unsafe to drink.

It could help the UK get more natural gas from local sources.

It might lead to lower energy costs for businesses and the public.

It can harm wildlife and the land around the fracking site.

It can cause small earthquakes and the fracking industry could create jobs.

So add each of those statements to the correct column on the table.

Pause the video whilst you complete this practise task now.

Well done for completing that first practise task.

So I asked you to add the benefits and risks of fracking to the correct column in the table.

So your table should look like this.

Benefits of fracking, it could help the UK get more natural gas from local sources.

It might lead to lower energy costs for businesses and the public and the fracking industry could create jobs.

And in risks of fracking, it can cause water pollution, making water sources unsafe to drink.

It can harm wildlife and the land around the fracking site, and it can cause small earthquakes.

Well done for completing task one.

So the second task I'd like you to do is to read Jun's thoughts about fracking.

Can you give him any information on other energy sources? So Jun says fracking is the only way we can get enough energy, so we need to start doing it more as there's no other choice.

So can you give him information on other energy sources that are an alternative to fracking? Pause the video whilst you complete this task.

So Jun said, "Fracking is the only way we can get enough energy, so we need to start doing it more as there's no other choice." I asked you to give him any other information on other energy resources.

So you might have said there are several options for getting energy that don't involve fracking.

Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal power are cleaner and more sustainable and they don't release harmful emissions.

While shale gas from fracking may produce less carbon dioxide than coal, it still contributes to climate change.

Alternatively, renewable energy options not only help protect the environment, but they also create jobs and improve energy security by allowing us to produce more of our own energy.

So well done for completing those two tasks.

So onto our second learning cycle today, what is your opinion about fracking? So we've looked at the benefits and we've looked at the risks, and now we're going to think about forming an opinion about fracking.

So when forming an opinion, it is important to consider all the information available, particularly when it's about issues that are controversial like fracking.

Fracking is very controversial and in the UK supporters highlight the potential benefits while opponents focus on environmental risks.

So we've looked at some of those benefits like economic growth and energy security, but we've also looked at the risks to the environment and the safety concerns like the small earthquakes.

One example of an organisation that is strongly pro fracking, they think that it should happen is the UK Oil & Gas investments, UKOG, which is a British oil and gas exploration company.

So they have a vested interest in continuing fracking 'cause essentially it's what their business is, what they're set up to do.

UKOG has been a key support of fracking in the UK, focusing on discovering and extracting oil and gas from onshore fields.

However, many environmental groups and local communities have raised concerns about the potential risks such as water contamination, air pollution, and earthquakes.

In 2014, UKOG discovered significant oil reserves at Horse Hill in Surrey, and wanted to use fracking to extract it.

They were initially granted planning permission by the local council for the project.

However, many local residents and environmental groups, including Friends of the Earth and Weald Action Group, raised concerns about the risk of fracking, which led to protests and legal challenges.

And you can see here in the photograph an anti-fracking protest taking place.

In June, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that the council had not fully considered the pollution that would be caused by the project.

As a result, the council's decision to allow oil production at the fracking site was cancelled and the case was sent back for review.

As of October, 2024, there's no permission to produce oil at the site and any work done without permission could lead to legal action.

So this was a really good case of the Supreme Court ruling in favour of organisations like Friends of the Earth, but really through the work of the Weald Action Group, who were a local community group who really put pressure on the anti-fracking, on their anti-fracking arguments to the Supreme Court, got it all the way up to the Supreme Court and heard their case who agreed with them.

So that was great example of local action.

So I'd like you to check your understanding about this.

So can you fill in the blanks? In 2014, what discovered significant oil reserves at Horse Hill, Surrey, and wanted to use fracking to extract it? After being granted planning permission, many local residents and environmental groups raised concerns about the risks of what? In June, 2024, the what Court ruled that the council had not considered the damages that would be caused by the project, and as a result, the council's decision was cancelled.

So fill in the three missing words.

Do that now please.

Okay, well done.

So in 2014, UKOG discovered significant oil reserves at Horse Hill, Surrey, and wanted to use fracking to extract it.

After being granted planning permission, many local residents and environmental groups raised concerns about the risks of fracking.

In June, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that the council had not considered the damages that would be caused by the project, and as a result, the council's decision was cancelled.

Well done for completing that.

So the UK government's view on fracking has changed over time.

In the past, the government supported fracking because of the potential economic benefits that we've already looked at.

However, after studies showed that fracking could cause small earthquakes, such as was the case at Horse Hill in Surrey and pose environmental risks, the government decided to halt fracking activities.

So there is currently a ban on fracking.

In 2019, the then conservative government placed an immediate moratorium, a ban or suspension on all fracking.

The moratorium would stay in place unless the science showed fracking could categorically be done safely.

And that so far that hasn't been proven to be the case.

In their 2024 manifesto, the labour government promised to keep the fracking ban in place.

They said they would make the UK a clean energy superpower stating their plans would lower household energy bills, deliver energy security, and create jobs.

So they were much more focused on renewable energy resources rather than exploring fracking.

So let's check our understanding of that information.

What is the UK government's current stance on fracking? A, it has fully banned fracking.

B, it fully supports fracking.

Or C, it has placed a ban on fracking.

What is the UK government's current stance on fracking A, B, or C? It is C.

Well done if you got that right.

So onto our practise task.

Firstly, do you think fracking should be allowed in the UK? I would like you to place an X on the judgement line to show your opinion.

You strongly agree that fracking should be allowed in the UK? Strongly disagree that fracking should be allowed in the UK or somewhere in between along that judgement line.

And once you have placed your X on the judgement line, I would like you to secondly, write a short statement giving at least one reason to explain your opinion.

So pause the video whilst you complete that task.

Okay, well done For completing that task.

It was asking you to really think about your opinion about fracking, weighing up the benefits and risks that we've been learning about.

So I asked you to think about fracking and do you think fracking should be allowed in the UK? So you may have placed your X towards the strongly agree and you strongly agree that fracking should be allowed in the UK.

And then you may have said the following in support of your opinion.

I strongly agree that fracking should be allowed in the UK.

This is because if fracking could help the UK get more of its own natural gas, it would make it less reliant on other countries.

It would create jobs, lower energy costs for businesses and the public and help the economy grow.

However, you may have put your X towards the strongly disagree end, and you may have said the following in support of that opinion.

I strongly disagree that fracking should be allowed in the UK as it poses a number of environmental risks.

It pollutes water and air, can cause small earthquakes, is harmful to wildlife and contributes to climate change.

We should instead be focusing on investment and research into renewable energy sources and uphold the UK government's decision to ban fracking.

So well done for completing that task.

Well done for thinking hard and coming up with your own opinions.

So in summary, why is fracking controversial? Fracking is a method used to extract oil and gas from deep underground by breaking rocks with high pressure fluids.

Supporters argue that it creates jobs, lowers energy prices, and reduces the UK's reliance on imported energy, especially during uncertain times.

However, some countries have banned fracking due to the risks like water and air pollution, earthquakes, wildlife disruption, and its contribution to climate change as a method of fossil fuel extraction.

Alternatives to fracking include renewable energy, nuclear, geothermal, biomass, and improving energy efficiency.

In 2019, the UK government halted fracking due to environmental concerns and the risk of earthquakes.

So well done for completing today's lesson.

I really hope that you've enjoyed it, that you've learned lots and that you've really thought about your opinion on fracking and why it's controversial.