Peoples Declaration motion

On Monday 23rd May North Yorkshire County Council approved Third Energys application to do
test fracking (hydraulic fracturing) for shale gas at Kirby Misperton in Ryedale. This was in spite of
receiving 4,375 letters of objection from local residents- and only 36 letters in support of it. More
widely, recent opinion polls show that only 19% of the population supports fracking, while 81%
support increased use of renewable energy.
Fracking for shale gas involves risks to workers, local residents and the wider population. These
risks include risks of groundwater contamination, surface water contamination, air pollution and
silica dust inhalation. The development of a shale gas industry will lead to an increase in our
emissions of greenhouse gases at a time when we the UK must reduce its emissions. Shale gas
will not lower energy bills.
The UK has a vast potential for clean energy. Investment in renewable energy, public transport
and energy efficiency (as outlined in the One Million Climate Jobs pamphlet) will create far more
jobs than fracking, deliver energy security, boost our economy and allow us to play our part in
avoiding dangerous climate change.
This branch/ association/ region agrees to:

Oppose fracking in North Yorkshire and across the UK as unwanted, unnecessary and
unsafe
Promote the Peoples Declaration against fracking among its members
https://www.foe.co.uk/act/add-your-name-peoples-declaration-say-no-fracking-0

Publicise local and regional events opposing fracking and encourage its members to attend
them

Proposed:
Seconded:

Peoples Declaration motion

On Monday 23rd May North Yorkshire County Council approved Third Energys application to do
test fracking (hydraulic fracturing) for shale gas at Kirby Misperton in Ryedale. This was in spite of
receiving 4,375 letters of objection from local residents- and only 36 letters in support of it. 1More
widely, recent opinion polls show that only 19% of the population supports fracking, while 81%
support increased use of renewable energy. 2
Fracking for shale gas involves risks to workers, local residents and the wider population. These
risks include risks of groundwater contamination, surface water contamination, air pollution and
silica dust inhalation. 3The development of a shale gas industry will lead to an increase in our
emissions of greenhouse gases at a time when we the UK must reduce its emissions. 4Shale gas
will not lower energy bills. 5
The UK has a vast potential for clean energy. 6 Investment in renewable energy, public transport
and energy efficiency (as outlined in the One Million Climate Jobs pamphlet) will create far more
jobs than fracking, deliver energy security, boost our economy and allow us to play our part in
avoiding dangerous climate change. 7
This branch/ association/ region agrees to:

Oppose fracking in North Yorkshire and across the UK as unwanted, unnecessary and
unsafe
Promote the Peoples Declaration against fracking among its members
https://www.foe.co.uk/act/add-your-name-peoples-declaration-say-no-fracking-0

Publicise local and regional events opposing fracking and encourage its members to attend
them.

1 http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/23/north-yorkshire-council-backs-firstuk-fracking-tests-for-five-years
2 http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/28/uk-support-for-fracking-hits-new-low
3 https://www.foe.co.uk/sites/default/.../groundwater-fracking-75170.pdfhttps://www.foe.co.uk/blog/drilling-withoutfail
http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/resources/green_workplaces/green_campaigns/campaigns.cfm (open Fracking
leaflet and Chris Baughs fracking blog)

4 https://www.foe.co.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/why-uk-fracking-not-compatible-withtackling-climate-change-86338.pdf
5 http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/newsdesk/energy/fact-check/will-fracking-lower-bills
6 https://www.foe.co.uk/sites/default/files/.../no-need-step-gas-76983.pdf
7 http://www.climate-change-jobs.org/ https://www.foe.co.uk/sites/default/files/.../making-better-job-it-full-report75291.pdf

Proposed:
Seconded: