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Coalition No Fracking Brazil for Water and Life participates in Field Day

Coalition No Fracking Brazil for Water and Life participates in Field Day

Event took place in Nova Colinas and featured speeches from COESUS about the impact of fracking

 

What is fracking?

Fracking – also called hydraulic fracturing – is a process that involves injecting large volumes of water, chemicals and sand at high pressure into underground rock layers to release trapped natural gas. Despite being a technique already used in several countries, it is controversial because it causes environmental and ecological damage, including contamination of groundwater, release of greenhouse gases, induced earthquakes, etc.

 

The Field Day event, held in Novas Colinas, Maranhão, on September 23, 2022, brought together about 50 family producers on the property of Mr. Domingo Leão. The initiative, promoted by AGERP – State Agency for Agricultural Research and Rural Extension of Maranhão, had the participation of COESUS – Coalition No Fracking Brazil for Water and Life, a campaign by the Arayara International Institute, which gave a lecture on the impacts of fracking in family production.

The main focus of the event was cassava production and several rural producers shared their experiences on planting, handling, harvesting and other specifics related to the crop. During the discussions, some producers approached the COESUS team to address the direct impacts caused by fracking on their agricultural activities. They expressed concerns and inquired about viable alternatives for power generation on their properties.

The COESUS technician, Suelita Röcker, explained about renewable energy and highlighted the importance of seeking sustainable alternatives that do not compromise people’s health and the environment. In addition, a representative of CAIXA Econômica Federal, present at the event, indicated possible financing options so that producers could install renewable energy systems on their properties.

The Field Day was also attended by the mayor of Novas Colinas, Josei Rego Ribeiro, the deputy mayor, Mariana Pinto Ribeiro and local councilors. During the meeting, COESUS took the opportunity to dialogue with government representatives and invite them to participate in a public session that took place on the same day.

 

 

Fracking affects the beverage industry

Fracking affects the beverage industry

Excessive water consumption by the method and soil contamination are among the causes

What is fracking?

Fracking – also called hydraulic fracturing – is a process that involves injecting large volumes of water, chemicals and sand at high pressure into underground rock layers to release trapped natural gas. Despite being a technique already used in several countries, it is controversial because it causes environmental and ecological damage, including contamination of groundwater, release of greenhouse gases, induced earthquakes, etc.

 

The oil industry is one of the greatest threats to the health of our planet. According to the UN, the oil sector is the main contributor to the worsening climate change. In addition, this industry depends on a resource that is the most valuable for life: water. In the case of fracking, millions of liters of potable water are used, which competes directly with other industries, agribusiness and the general population.

One of the sectors strongly affected by fracking is the production of beverages, such as cachaça and beer. Soil contamination – where barley and the grains used to produce the drink are grown – and the quality of water from aquifers are factors of great concern for production.

The team from COESUS – Coalition No Fracking Brazil for Water and Life, a campaign by the Arayara International Institute, visited, on September 13, 2022, the Baixão do Cosmo brandy factory, where they could observe all the cachaça production and talk to the owner about the impacts that fracking could generate in his sector. The group highlighted to the owner of the Baixão do Cosmo brandy factory the risks that fracking represents for his business and also for the environment.

Soil and groundwater contamination can compromise the quality of the inputs used in the manufacture of the drink, directly affecting the taste and safety of the final product. Furthermore, the scarcity of potable water, caused by the excessive use of this resource in fracking, can impact the entire production chain.

Faced with the challenges faced by the beverage industry and other activities that depend on water as an essential resource, it is necessary to stop the shale gas exploration model and seek more sustainable alternatives that are less harmful to the environment. The preservation of water and the promotion of renewable energies are essential ways to guarantee a future for society.

 

Fracking affects the beverage industry

Fracking afeta indústria de bebidas

Consumo excessivo de água pelo método e a contaminação do solo estão entre as causas

O que é o fracking?

O fracking – também chamado de fraturamento hidráulico – é um processo que envolve a injeção de grandes volumes de água, produtos químicos e areia, a alta pressão, em camadas de rocha do subsolo para liberar o gás natural que está preso. Apesar de ser uma técnica já utilizada em vários países, ela é controversa por causar danos ambientais e ecológicos, incluindo contaminação da água subterrânea, liberação de gases de efeito estufa, terremotos induzidos etc.

 

A indústria petrolífera se configura como uma das maiores ameaças à saúde do nosso planeta. Segundo a ONU, o setor do petróleo é o principal contribuinte para o agravamento das mudanças climáticas. Além disso, essa indústria depende de um recurso que é o mais valioso para a vida: a água. Tratando-se do fracking, milhões de litros de água potável são utilizadas, o que compete diretamente com outras indústrias, o agronegócio e a população em geral. 

Um dos setores fortemente afetados pelo fracking é o da produção de bebidas, como a cachaça e a cerveja. A contaminação do solo – onde são cultivados a cevada e os grãos utilizados na produção da bebida – e a qualidade da água proveniente de aquíferos são fatores de grande preocupação para a produção.

A equipe da COESUS – Coalizão Não Fracking Brasil pela Água e Vida, uma campanha do Instituto Internacional Arayara, visitou, em 13 de setembro de 2022, a fábrica de aguardente Baixão do Cosmo, onde puderam observar toda a produção da cachaça e conversar com o proprietário sobre os impactos que o fracking poderia gerar em seu setor. O grupo destacou ao proprietário da fábrica de aguardente Baixão do Cosmo os riscos que o fracking representa para o seu negócio e também para o meio ambiente. 

A contaminação do solo e das águas subterrâneas pode comprometer a qualidade dos insumos utilizados na fabricação da bebida, afetando diretamente o sabor e a segurança do produto final. Além disso, a escassez de água potável, causada pela utilização excessiva desse recurso no fracking, pode impactar toda a cadeia de produção.

Diante dos desafios enfrentados pela indústria de bebidas e por outras atividades que dependem da água como recurso essencial, é necessário impedir o modelo de exploração do gás de xisto e buscar alternativas mais sustentáveis e menos prejudiciais ao meio ambiente. A preservação da água e a promoção de energias renováveis são caminhos indispensáveis para garantir um futuro à sociedade.

Lagoa do Mato recibe proyecto de ley contra el fracking

Lagoa do Mato recibe proyecto de ley contra el fracking

La ciudad maranhense reconoce los peligros de la técnica, pero el alcalde prefiere no pronunciarse

 

¿Qué es el fracking?

El fracking, también conocido como fracturamiento hidráulico, es un proceso que implica la inyección de grandes volúmenes de agua, productos químicos y arena a alta presión en capas de roca subterránea para liberar el gas natural atrapado. Aunque es una técnica utilizada en varios países, es controvertida debido a los daños ambientales y ecológicos que causa, como la contaminación de las aguas subterráneas, la liberación de gases de efecto invernadero, los terremotos inducidos, entre otros.

Lagoa do Mato, en Maranhão, fue escenario de una capacitación organizada por COESUS – Coalición No al Fracking Brasil por el Agua y la Vida, una campaña del Instituto Internacional Arayara, con el tema “Fracking: una amenaza para el futuro de Brasil” el 9 de septiembre de 2022. El evento reunió a todos los concejales del municipio, que estaban en sesión pública en el ayuntamiento. Además del tema central, también se abordó el uso de energías renovables y la transición energética justa. Al final de la sesión, se presentó un proyecto de ley contra el fracking al legislativo de la ciudad, que se comprometió a tratarlo en futuras reuniones.

Durante la capacitación, los concejales expresaron su oposición al fracking y le informaron al equipo de COESUS sobre las investigaciones que una empresa petrolera está llevando a cabo en el municipio. Algunos de ellos mencionaron que las perforaciones de investigación resultaron en explosiones en las áreas donde se realizaron.

Los concejales también compartieron que ya están tomando medidas para implementar energías renovables en sus hogares y propiedades, con el objetivo de lograr eficiencia energética. Se enfatizó ante el pleno que el fracking, además de ser una técnica devastadora, aumenta la dependencia de las centrales térmicas, que generan energía más cara y contaminante, lo que se traduce en tarifas más altas para los consumidores.

 

Los concejales de Lagoa do Mato se pronuncian en contra del fracking.

Lagoa do Mato es conocida por su gran laguna, que le da nombre a la ciudad. Según el alcalde Alexsandre Guimarães Duarte (PP), a pesar de contar con esta importante fuente de agua, la región sufre de escasez de este recurso. Para llevar a cabo el fracking se requiere una gran cantidad de agua potable. Con esto en mente, COESUS planteó la siguiente pregunta: ¿Tiene sentido extraer agua de toda una población para extraer gas que beneficiará a otros lugares, dejando daños para la ciudad de Lagoa do Mato?

El alcalde de la ciudad, aunque se sorprendió por los hechos presentados, optó por no pronunciarse públicamente sobre el tema. Sin embargo, destaca la falta de conocimiento de la población sobre el fracking y sus impactos negativos.

La lucha contra el fracking es fundamental para preservar el medio ambiente, la salud de la población y garantizar un futuro seguro y próspero para las comunidades. Se requiere un amplio debate y la participación activa de todos los sectores de la sociedad para tomar decisiones conscientes y responsables sobre el uso de los recursos naturales. COESUS continuará con su misión de informar y movilizar, buscando un Brasil libre de fracking y un futuro más sostenible.

Equipo de No al Fracking Brasil frente al Ayuntamiento de Lagoa do Mato.

Lagoa do Mato recibe proyecto de ley contra el fracking

Lagoa do Mato receives draft law against fracking

The city of Maranhão recognized the dangers of the technique, but the mayor preferred not to take a position

 

What is fracking?

Fracking – also called hydraulic fracturing – is a process that involves injecting large volumes of water, chemicals and sand at high pressure into layers of rock underground to release trapped natural gas. Although it is a technique already in use in several countries, it is controversial for causing environmental and ecological damage, including groundwater contamination, release of greenhouse gases, induced earthquakes, etc.

 

Lagoa do Mato, Maranhão, was the stage of a training session promoted by COESUS – Coalition No Fracking Brazil for Water and Life, a campaign of the Arayara International Institute, with the theme “Fracking: a threat to the future of Brazil” on September 9, 2022. The event gathered all councilors of the municipality, who were in public session at the city council. In addition to the central theme, the use of renewable energy and a just energy transition were also addressed. At the end of the plenary session, a bill against fracking was presented to the city’s legislature, which pledged to deal with it in future meetings

During the training, the councilors expressed their opposition to fracking and reported to the COESUS team about research being conducted in the municipality by an oil company. Some of them mentioned that research drilling has resulted in explosions in the areas where it was carried out.

The councilors also shared that they are already adopting measures to implement renewable energy in their homes and properties, aiming for energy efficiency. It was pointed out to the plenary that fracking, besides being a devastating technique, increases the dependency on thermoelectric plants, which generate more expensive and polluting energy, resulting in higher tariffs for consumers.

 

City councilors of Lagoa do Mato take a stand against fracking.

Lagoa do Mato is known for its large lagoon, which lends its name to the town. According to the mayor, Alexsandre Guimarães Duarte (PP), despite the presence of this important source of water, the region suffers from the scarcity of the resource. In order to carry out fracking, a very high quantity of potable water is needed. With this in mind, COESUS asked the following question: Does it make sense to take water from an entire population to extract gas that will benefit other places, leaving damage to the town of Lagoa do Mato?

The mayor of the city, although he was shocked by the facts presented, chose not to position himself publicly on the subject. However, he emphasizes the population’s lack of knowledge about fracking and its negative impacts.

The fight against fracking is fundamental to preserve the environment, the health of the population, and to guarantee a safe and prosperous future for the communities. A broad debate and the active participation of all sectors of society are necessary to make conscious and responsible decisions regarding the use of natural resources. COESUS will continue its mission to inform and mobilize, aiming for a Brazil free of fracking and with a more sustainable future.

 

Team from No Fracking Brazil in front of the Town Hall of Lagoa do Mato.