Watch Gasland

Gasland is a compelling and eye-opening documentary film directed by Josh Fox. Released in 2010, the movie exposes the catastrophic environmental and health impacts of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, a controversial method of extracting natural gas. Through interviews with residents of affected communities, Fox takes the audience on a journey across the United States, investigating the consequences of fracking on land, water, and human health.

The documentary begins with Fox receiving a letter from a natural gas company offering to lease his family's land in Pennsylvania for drilling. Curious about the implications of this offer, Fox embarks on a journey to meet with other landowners who have already signed leases with the gas companies. In his travels, Fox discovers that people in rural towns across the country have been suffering from a host of illnesses and environmental degradation that they believe is directly linked to fracking.

Gasland brings to light the environmental and health hazards associated with fracking. The film reveals that fracking, which involves injecting a cocktail of chemicals and water under high pressure into rock formations, is not only detrimental to the environment, but also to the health of the communities that live near the drilling sites. The documentary shows how fracking has polluted local water sources, causing residents to experience rashes, nosebleeds, and other health problems. Some residents even reported that their water has become flammable due to the high concentration of methane gas.

Through interviews with various experts and policymakers, Gasland highlights the inadequate regulation of fracking by state and federal governments. The documentary exposes how the energy industry has been able to bypass various environmental laws in order to profit from the natural gas reserves underground. The film also reveals that companies engaged in fracking have enjoyed favorable treatment from politicians, with Dick Cheney, former Vice President of the United States and former CEO of Halliburton, playing a particularly prominent role.

While Gasland is a sobering look at the devastating effects of fracking, it also highlights the bravery and resilience of communities who have been impacted by this harmful practice. The documentary features interviews with a wide variety of people who are fighting against fracking, including environmental activists, scientists, and musicians like Pete Seeger, who performs a song about environmental consciousness during the film.

In conclusion, Gasland is a vital and engrossing documentary that shines a light on the devastating environmental and health consequences of fracking. Through his interviews with residents of affected communities, Josh Fox has created a powerful and emotional account of the detrimental effects of hydraulic fracturing that will leave viewers both shocked and inspired. The movie raises important questions about the flaws in our energy policy and the consequences of putting profits above public health and well-being.