Page 458 - Introduction To Sociology

450 Chapter 20 | Population, Urbanization, and the Environment
Learning Objectives
20.1. Demography and Population
• Understand demographic measurements like fertility and mortality rates
• Describe a variety of demographic theories, such as Malthusian, cornucopian, zero population growth, and
demographic transition theories
• Be familiar with current population trends and patterns
• Understand the difference between an internally displaced person, an asylum-seeker, and a refugee
20.2. Urbanization
• Describe the process of urbanization in the United States and the growth of urban populations worldwide
• Understand the function of suburbs, exurbs, and concentric zones
• Discuss urbanization from various sociological perspectives
20.3. The Environment and Society
• Describe climate change and its importance
• Apply the concept of carrying capacity to environmental concerns
• Understand the challenges presented by pollution, garbage, e-waste, and toxic hazards
• Discuss real-world instances of environmental racism
Introduction to Population, Urbanization, and the Environment
Fracking, another word for hydraulic fracturing, is a method used to recover gas and oil from shale by drilling down into the earth and directing a high-pressure mixture of water, sand, and proprietary chemicals into the rock. Commonly, this process also includes drilling horizontally into the rock to create new pathways for gas to travel. While energy companies view fracking as a profitable revolution in the industry, there are a number of concerns associated with the practice.
First, fracking requires huge amounts of water. Water transportation comes at a high environmental cost, and once mixed with fracking chemicals, water is unsuitable for human and animal consumption, though it is estimated that between 10 percent and 90 percent of the contaminated water is returned to the water cycle. Second, the chemicals used in a fracking mix are potentially carcinogenic. These chemicals may pollute groundwater near the extraction site (Colborn, Kwiatkowski, Schultz, and Bachran 2011; United States 2011). Industry leaders suggest that such contamination is unlikely, and that when it does occur, it is incidental and related to unavoidable human error rather than an expected risk of the practice, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s study of fracking is ongoing (Environmental Protection Agency 2014). The third concern is that fracking may cause minor earthquakes by undermining the seismic stability of an area—a concern downplayed by the companies involved (Henry 2012). Finally, gas is not a renewable source of energy; this is a negative in the eyes of those who oppose continued reliance on fossil fuels.
Fracking is not without its advantages. Its supporters offer statistics that suggest it reduces unemployment and contributes to economic growth (IHS Global Insights 2012). Since it allows energy companies access to previously nonviable and completely untapped oil and gas reserves, fracking boosts domestic oil production and lowers energy costs (IHS Global Insights 2012). Finally, fracking expands the production of low-emission industrial energy.
As you read this chapter, consider how an increasing global population can balance environmental concerns with opportunities for industrial and economic growth. Think about how much water pollution can be justified by the need to lower U.S. dependence of foreign energy supplies. Is the potential employment and economic growth associated with fracking worth some environmental degradation?
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