Victoria can learn about fracking horrors - Bill McKibben

Bill McKibben - Victoria in a "unique and
enviable position" to learn from fracking.

The state of Victoria is in the unique and enviable position to learn from the horrific impacts of unconventional gas – known to many as fracking – around the world and say a conclusive "no" to this toxic industry.

As we know, it is much easier to stop an industry before it gets a foothold, and thanks to the hard work of communities, farmers, traditional owners and activist groups all across your state – many of whom I had the pleasure of meeting a few years ago – the idea has met continued resistance.

But after years of moratoriums it is time to make a decision, and the Andrews government has a chance to prove it is serious about standing up for communities against a truly destructive practice, as well as taking a strong stance on global warming.

If Premier Daniel Andrews wants to see the horrors wrought by the onshore gas industry, he only has to look to where I live in the US, where fracking has decimated once fertile farming regions.

Read the comment piece by Bill McKibben in today’s Melbourne Age - “It's time to fight fracking.”