A systematic-theological exploration of hydraulic fracturing in South Africa

Abstract

We live in times where technology is central to every little detail of human existence. As a result of this, the world's civilisation has developed quite extensively. The subsequent escalating awareness of an environmental crisis has led to widespread societal and religious reflection on the human relationship with the earth. Such reflection has strong patterns in most religious traditions in the realms of ethics and cosmology and can be seen as a subset – and ramification of a theology of nature. Therefore, eco-theology not only tries to address our understanding of reality but makes us aware that we are part of nature, there is no 'us' and 'them' but all of us are part of nature, that is, ontological integrity. At the present moment with the escalating energy crisis in South Africa's power utility, Eskom's struggling to meet the demand of the country, the industry is embarking on exploratory high volume hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract the huge reserves of natural gas contained in shale rock. Energy companies want to harness the untapped reserves of natural gas below the Karoo area as seen on the map below. There is a growing debate around this new venture as environmentalists, ecologists, theologians and communities have mixed reactions or feelings about this. This ranges from issues such as risks of air, soil and water pollution, methane escape, earth tremors and quakes linked between fracking technology and climate change. There are both pro and anti-campaigns around fracking. The question is; how do we move forward? What is our theological response as a society in addressing the issue?