"Gasland" Director Speaks at UNC

The University of Northern Colorado welcomed the controversial and outspoken environmentalist Josh Fox to speak to students and residents on Nov. 15^th. Fox, the director of the Oscar-nominated documentary “Gasland”, discussed his research for the film and the dangers of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

Fracking is a drilling technique that uses high-pressure fluid, made from water, sand and dangerous chemicals, to fracture rocks in order to release natural gas. This process contaminates the water and air in surrounding areas, causing health problems to those exposed.

“Our agreement with each other and our civilization is to behave in a just manner,” Fox said. “The fracking industry is breaking that rule and it’s being done in full view of our government without repercussions.”

Fox first learned of fracking when he received a letter from a gas company offering money to drill on his land in Delaware. Intrigued, Fox began conducting research on the proposal by talking to neighbors and families already allowing fracking on their land, and was shocked by what he saw. Their drinking water was heavily contaminated, animals were losing fur and families had become constantly sick.

“This project was going to be a five minute YouTube video to help my neighbors,” Fox said. “It turned into a documentary viewed by over 50 million people in 30 countries.”

Fox traveled the country to see how other areas were being affected by this drilling. Weld County, one of the featured locations in “Gasland”, was having similar problems.

Shane Davis, a Weld Country resident and fracking activist, lived in the area for two years before realizing 75 drilling wells surrounded his home.

“My nose bled for a year straight and I had constant headaches,” Davis said. “We have to challenge the regulatory system and make our wants heard.”

Weld County continues to be effected by fracking as UNC has recently revealed that fracking will be permitted on campus.

“It is irresponsible for the university to participate,” Fox said. “This oil and gas development must come to an end.”

Weston Wilson, a retired environmental engineer for the Environmental Protection Agency, challenged the EPA’s decision to allow fracking despite the health risks.

“We the people have been so asleep that we allow Colorado to impose on our human rights,” Wilson said. “We must rise up and tell our government to stand up for our public health.”