Dr. Robert Howarth, a renowned biology professor from Cornell University had the attention of the Trent University community and local audience as the guest lecturer for the 2013 David Schindler Professorship in Aquatic Science Lecture. His address, open to the public in Trent’s Wenjack Theatre, was titled “Shale Gas: The Wrong Energy Choice for the 21st Century”.

According to Dr. Howarth, natural gas is being touted by many as a bridge fuel to help lower society’s carbon footprint. It burns cleaner than oil and cleaner than coal and could bridge energy needs until new sources are discovered and refined.

The focus of Dr. Howarth’s research is on a method used to release natural gas from deeply locked gas deposits called hydraulic fracturing – commonly referred to as “fracking”. Dr. Howarth’s work examines the effect of fracking on the environment, and he has been widely published. He says the process is releasing alarming amounts of methane into the atmosphere, which puts our environment at risk. While clean energy enthusiasts are eager to applaud his findings, conflict lies within the natural gas industry.

Dr. Howarth says that fracking is mainly a U.S. initiative. The country is responsible for an estimated 95 per cent of fracking endeavors worldwide, but British Columbia is leading the way in Canada. Typically, drilling for natural gas had enabled the industry to reach large pockets of gas. But as reserves dwindled, fracking began as a way to reach new gas sources. In its current form, it’s a relatively new process that sees natural gas, trapped in shale rock, extracted using pressurized water and chemicals.

There are several reasons to be concerned about the fracking process, including groundwater and surface contamination, but Dr. Howarth says methane release is potentially the biggest concern. It’s an extremely potent greenhouse gas, he says, and if his theory is correct, and fracking initiatives continue at the current pace, the impact on global temperatures will be felt considerably within the next 50 years.

“If we do not contain methane emissions, we are in a lot of trouble on this planet,” says Dr. Howarth.

“Fracking isn’t necessary,” he insists. Dr. Howarth is calling on governments to use funds currently designated for fracking research and development, and instead use them to fund research and production of renewable energy initiatives more friendly to the environment.

The David Schindler lecture is named after the former Trent professor and world-renowned limnologist, specializing in the study of freshwater ecosystems. Dr. Schindler was a professor in Trent University’s Biology Department from 1966-68. Established in 2008, the David Schindler Endowed Professorship in Aquatic Science was the first-ever endowed professorship at Trent. The endowment was given to the university by an anonymous donor who wished to honour the work of Dr. Schindler.