The unified voice of thousands against Karoo fracking  paid off last week when government pressed pause on hydraulic fracturing. Cabinet has endorsed the decision by the Department of Minerals and Energy to invoke a moratorium on oil and gas exploration licenses in the semi-arid Karoo.

This basically means a suspension of all activity in the proposed area for now. The Karoo is an ecologically sensitive and water scarce area and fracking is a technique for extracting shale gas from deep underground by pumping a pressurised mixture of water, sand and chemicals down drill holes.

The Royal Dutch Shell has exploration rights to 90 000 sq km of this area. Other groups eyeing the area are SASOL, Anglo American and Falcon Oil and Gas. "We have noted the South African cabinet's endorsement of the decision of the Department of Mineral and Energy, and we will seek clarity from the department on the full implications," a Shell spokesperson told Reuters.

Looking from every angle

This Department plans to fully research the implications of fracking from different angles, with the help of Trade and Industry and Science and Technology departments. 'Cabinet has made it very clear that a clean environment together with all the ecological aspects will not be compromised,' says Jimmy Manyi, spokesperson for the government. Any money going to gas is not going to renewables.

Another fear has reared its head in the fracking case. How will it affect South Africa's bid to host the square kilometre array (SKA) radio telescope? Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor said an application for prospecting had no impact on South Africa's bid to host the SKA. 'An application can only have impact if granted,' she said.
'If the Shell application is granted, and if Shell uses communication systems with frequency ranges that interfere with radio telescope operations, the prospecting will affect radio astronomy.' Shell and Golder has however discussed communications restrictions with the South African SKA project office (SASPO).

Decision announced early 2012

'All operations in the Karoo will be comprehensively addressed through regulations under the Astronomy Geographic Act 2007,' Pandor says. This act will be finalised in the 2012/2013 financial year. An announcement on who wins the bid, South Africa or Australia, will be made early next year.

The Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG), who instructed a written objection by Cape Town attorney Dr Luke Havemann (of Havemann Inc, a firm specialising in energy issues) against fracking, agreed to give their full co-operation to government in researching the impacts of this process. "Cabinet clearly realised what other countries have realised ' the issue of fracking is too complex to be decided on by one single authority or one single department."

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently studying the impacts of fracking on drinking water. Initial results are scheduled for release in 2012. Until conclusive evidence is found that there will be no unintended consequences on the environment, the moratorium will remain in place.

To be or not to be green?

Shale is being hailed as the green energy of the future because new technologies can be used to fracture the dense rock and flood it with water to release bubbles of natural gas that can be burned for electricity with ' according to the gas industry ' only about half of the carbon dioxide emissions of coal.

According to Climate Ark, new science shows shale gas fracking equally damaging to the environment as other fossil fuels. Last week there was a major toxic fracking water release into Pennsylvania's waterways. Read more here or find out some facts and figures as illustrated by The Guardian. The Guardian also recently did an in-depth story on why shale gas is not better than renewable energy.

To showcase the beauty of the Karoo and document what might be at risk if fracking goes ahead, Green Renaissance has asked people create stories for a series of films on it. Here are two of the five films that form part of the Green Renaissance project (so far):

Water is the Lifeblood of the Country by Fox Lederboer

Fox Lederboer is the unofficial "water bailiff" of the Gamkapoort Dam in the Karoo. He has lived alone on this beautiful, remote dam for 18 years, slowly coming to terms with personal crisis. He understands intimately the healing power of the Karoo and how critical water is to life, especially in the desert. Fox worries that fracking related pollution in the ancient aquifers will have a devastating impact on life in the desert and beyond.

Fracking is not an Option by David Kramer

David Kramer is the much-loved son of the Karoo - he has shaped his musical career around the rich stories of the unique Karoo landscapes and characters, and presents for the first time on film his new anti-fracking song. David believes that the cultural fabric of the Karoo is at threat if mining goes ahead.

Should you wish to discuss the legal implications of the Government's decision, you can reach Dr Havemann on 021 403 6350 or 084 321 0079.