Fracking has been receiving lots of attention lately, mostly negative. It uses substances of a dubious nature to blow up the shale rock beds and release the natural gas trapped inside them, and this is cause for concern. Many claim that these chemicals are toxic and carcinogenic, presenting a clear and present danger, as well as a long-term one, to our aquifers. Pollute those water reserves and we may be poisoning life all around them for a long time.
Public outrage against fracking is heated and widespread. The public is skeptical of the practice as long as transparency is not maintained and loopholes aren’t closed. (Note that many natural gas wells are exempt from the Safe Water Drinking Act, the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act.)
Celebrities such as Robert Redford, Matt Damon and Zoe Saldana have joined the cause, lending a hand to the movement by expressing their skepticism and disapproval of the practice, as it stands.
The most recent celebrity to join the anti-fracking initiative is Late Show host David Letterman. Here’s what he had to say about it in a rather unexpected outburst.