Gasland screenings and beyond

By Susan Selbin

Hydraulic facturing—or “fracking”—as part of drilling to extract natural gas, is used in more than 30 states, including New Mexico. This process forces water infused with dangerous chemicals into deep shale deposits, fracturing the deposits to release the gas. Fracking is recognized to have resulted in contaminated water, serious health issues for humans and domestic animals/wildlife, and damage to the natural landscape as well as the property of those involved.

France and South Africa have put a moratorium on fracking. The documentary Gasland played a part in the South African decision.

The Sierra Club and New Mexico Wilderness Alliance hosted a screening of the award-winning documentary at Albuquerque’s Guild Cinema on May 22. The 90 viewers were fired up, resulting in additional house-party screenings in June and other screenings planned for July around New Mexico.

Food & Water Watch, Conservation Voters New Mexico, Drilling Mora Country, Drilling Santa Fe, Environment New Mexico and the Sierra Club also sponsored a Gasland screening on June 21.

As one viewer wrote, “This is a life-changing documentary that powerfully presents the consequences of our nation’s unrelenting pursuit to harvest natural gas.”
While viewers get informed, engaged and enraged after viewing Gasland, many want to do more than just sign petitions. Your participation is welcome! See box to learn how to get involved.

If you would like to host a Gasland screening in your home or other venue, or if you’d like to
get further involved to work on action related to fracking, please contact Susan Selbin at 242-6058 or sselbin@hotmail.com.