The Battle To Prevent Fracking In The Karoo

South Africa’s Largest Ecosystem

The Karoo is the largest ecosystem in South Africa and is home to a fascinating diversity of life, all having adapted to survive an unforgiving landscape. Natural gas exploration has now come to invade this magnificent land in order to exploit its natural resources. A moratorium has been placed on granting exploration licenses to major fuel companies, which allows them to use hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, as a means to extract gas from the earth. Hydraulic fracturing is a drilling technique used to extract shale gas from deep underground. It involves pumping enormous volumes of water, sand and chemicals into horizontally drilled wells under great pressure to shatter the rock layer and release trapped gas.

Jonathan Deal is the Chairman of the Treasure the Karoo Action Group (TKAG). He has led the campaign against hydraulic fracturing in the Karoo and recently won a court action requiring the Mineral Resources Minister to release the names of the task team assessing the pros and cons of fracking. Mr. Deal is also contesting claims that the Karoo would benefit from this development.

An Effort To Build Public Dialog Or False Advertisement?

Here are the court documents. Is it an “effort to build a public dialog” or false advertisement? (The court decided it was false advertisement.)

Application – Part 1 (NOM to Annexure JKFD5 of FA)

Application – Part 2 (Annexure JKFD6 of FA to CA of LH)

ASA RULING SHELL-TKAG & ANOTHER-17882

ASA SHELL-TKAG & ANOTHER-17882

COMPLAINT TO THE ASA- pages 1-12

COMPLAINT TO THE ASA -pages 13-23

Confirmation from ASA

Respondents’ Answering Affidavits

Swepi is SHELL see first para and violations

 

Global Alliance

A bridge has been built between the United States and South Africa in the global anti-fracking movement. This according to US actor Mark Ruffalo, who revealed that anti-fracking lobby group Water Defense and South African Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) have formalized their relationship. Mr. Ruffalo confirmed that he had accepted a position on the board of TKAG and that TKAG chairman, Jonathan Deal would join the board of Water Defense.

Water Defense connects the dots between the movements working to stop mountain top removal, hydro fracking, tar sands mining, and other destructive practices that threaten our dwindling global supply of clean water. Founded by actor Mark Ruffalo, Water Defense engages renowned cultural figures, produces educational events, and informs the public, through traditional and social media to raise awareness, drive policy change, and end our fossil fuel addiction by demanding sustainable solutions.

The Interview

Will the Karoo sustain environmental devastation from natural gas development? What are the risks to the water supply? Will the benefits that the industry claims be forthcoming? What about the job opportunities that this natural gas development could bring? Tune in to this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, as host, June Stoyer is joined by special guest, Jonathan Deal, Chairman of Treasure The Karoo, to learn more about the battle to protect the Karoo.

 

 

 

Get involved!

Please donate by clicking Help The Karoo

Join their group! TKAG on Facebook

Connect with TKAG on Facebook by following Karen Rademeyer or Jonathan Deal