Sentinel Watch December 10, 2012 Issue

A spiritual approach to coal seam gas mining

Beverley Beddoes-Mills—Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Photo credit: Helen Watson

In Australia coal seam gas has emerged as a major industry with conservative estimates that there will be approximately 40,000 production wells built throughout the country. A great deal of fear and uncertainty is associated with the risks surrounding the development of gas seam mining, particularly over the possibility that ground water will be contaminated. 

Strong protests have occurred throughout the state of New South Wales. Feelings are running high particularly among farmers who, under Australian law, do not have the ownership or rights to the minerals below the surface of their lands. 

Australia is not the only country where citizens have concerns about the development of energy resources. But for Australia, as well as the world, a solution must be found to meet energy needs. 