IGCSEEnvironmental ManagementCambridge (CIE)Revision NotesNatural ResourcesFrackingBenefits & Limitations of Fracking

Benefits & Limitations of Fracking (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Environmental Management): Revision Note

Exam code: 0680

Alistair Marjot

Written by: Alistair Marjot

Reviewed by: Jacque Cartwright

Updated on

Benefits & limitations of fracking

Benefits of fracking

  • Increases supply of natural gas and oil and reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels

    • This increases energy security

  • Natural gas releases less carbon dioxide when burned than coal

  • Natural is relatively easy to transport

  • Allows access to previously unreachable resources trapped in shale rock

  • Creates jobs in drilling, transport and associated industries

Limitations of fracking

  • Uses very large amounts of water, which can strain local supplies

  • Risk of groundwater contamination from chemicals used in the process

  • Can cause small earthquakes due to rock fracturing and fluid injection

  • Produces wastewater that must be treated or disposed of safely

  • Increases production of fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions

  • Results in emissions of gases such as methane

Examiner Tips and Tricks

For the exam, you need to ensure that you know the advantages and disadvantages of fracking. However, in longer questions, you may also need to consider whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. You should be able to critically evaluate fracking. It can reduce energy shortages, but is it a desirable way to achieve that?  What could countries do to reduce energy shortages instead?

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    Author
    Reviewer
    Alistair Marjot

    Author: Alistair Marjot

    Expertise: Environmental Systems and Societies & Biology Content Creator

    Alistair graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Biological Sciences. He has taught GCSE/IGCSE Biology, as well as Biology and Environmental Systems & Societies for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. While teaching in Oxford, Alistair completed his MA Education as Head of Department for Environmental Systems & Societies. Alistair has continued to pursue his interests in ecology and environmental science, recently gaining an MSc in Wildlife Biology & Conservation with Edinburgh Napier University.

    Jacque Cartwright

    Reviewer: Jacque Cartwright

    Expertise: Geography Content Creator

    Jacque graduated from the Open University with a BSc in Environmental Science and Geography before doing her PGCE with the University of St David’s, Swansea. Teaching is her passion and has taught across a wide range of specifications – GCSE/IGCSE and IB but particularly loves teaching the A-level Geography. For the past 5 years Jacque has been teaching online for international schools, and she knows what is needed to get the top scores on those pesky geography exams.