Reread the At Issue box at the beginning of the chapter, which provides background on the question of whether the perceived advantages of fracking outweigh concerns about possible environmental damage. Then, read the sources on the pages that follow.

As you read these sources, you will be asked to respond to some questions and complete some activities. This work is designed to help you understand the content and structure of the selections. When you are finished, you will be ready to decide on the criteria you will use to write an evaluation argument on the topic, “Do the Benefits of Fracking Outweigh the Environmental Risks?”

SOURCES

Elizabeth Kolbert, “Burning Love”

Sean Lennon, “Destroying Precious Land for Gas”

Thomas L. Friedman, “Get It Right on Gas”

Scott McNally, “Water Contamination—Fracking Is Not the Problem”

Shale Gas Production Subcommittee, From Shale Gas Production Subcommittee 90-Day Report
US Department of Energy

USA Today Editorial Board, “Fracking, with Care, Brings Big Benefits”