Whatever you think you know about the relationship between gas and oil fracking and increased cancers, contaminated air, water and soil, and the acceleration of climate change, chances are you don’t know enough, say environmental advocates at Save Ohio Parks.

The statewide 501(c)4 organization dedicated to educating the public about the health, environmental and planet-warming effects of fracking under state parks and public lands announces a new public education service: in-person or virtual presentations on the facts about fracking.

The meetings include a Power Point presentation and audience Q&A on topics including:

• a primer on Ohio hydraulic fracturing, or fracking
• the relationship between toxic, often radioactive wastewater brine and bone-seeking cancer
• methane gas emissions that increase cancers in people, especially young children and the elderly, and accelerate climate change
• freshwater depletion and lax state frack wastewater brine storage laws that put our drinking water at imminent risk
• wildlife, tree, plant and insect biodiversity depletion
• what happens in a 1.5 Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit)-warmed world
• how oil and gas dark money, donations, and gerrymandering have gutted Ohio’s democracy
• and the false promise of mitigating air pollution with carbon capture sequestration and storage.

“Climate scientists are alarmed. They tell us we have about three years left before 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming becomes consistent throughout the world,” said Melinda Zemper, board member at Save Ohio Parks. “We already experience dramatic heat and wildfires, melting glaciers and floods from rising seas and the tragic melding of our four seasons in Ohio into two-- one hot, dry season we call summer and a cooler, wetter season we call winter. What many Ohioans may not realize is that greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel fracking have dramatically accelerated global warming since the fracking boom began 15 years ago.”

Ninety-seven percent of climate scientists agree that our ability to survive on a livable planet requires coal, oil and natural gas extraction to be phased out as quickly as possible, and clean, emissions-free, renewable energy like wind and solar to be rapidly ramped up.

Save Ohio Parks was formed in 2023 after a new state law requiring fracking under public lands-- state parks, forests, wildlife areas and Ohio Department of Transportation rights-of-way- was passed during a lame duck session by a supermajority legislature-- with no public input. A lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state law has not yet been decided.

Save Ohio Parks formed a coalition of 30 statewide environmental organizations early this year after a well pad explosion and fire near Salt Fork State Park caused an 18-hour evacuation of Antrim Township in Guernsey County. The coalition wants Gov. Mike DeWine to call a moratorium on fracking under state parks and public lands.

Ohio has 270,176 oil wells, with an estimated 33,000 to 66,000 abandoned, or orphaned, wells that could be leaking methane gas.  Oil and gas production emits methane gas through leaks, flares and accidents. Methane traps 84 percent more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide and climate researchers are alarmed that the world is on track for catastrophic 3° Celsius (5.4° Fahrenheit) warming by the end of the century.

A Vrije Universiteit Brussel climate study published in Nature in May, announced that half of children born in 2020-- 62 million people-- will experience 11 extreme weather events during their lifetimes-- but only if warming is limited to 1.5° Celsius.

If warming exceeds 3.5° Celsius, that number will almost double to 111 million. In pre-industrial Brussels, people experienced up to three extreme weather events during their lifetimes.

Ohio’s temperature has increased 2° F to 3° Fahrenheit over the last 60 to 70 years, according to Aaron Wilson, an atmospheric scientist at Ohio State University and a principal climate investigator at Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center. In coming years,  Ohio’s climate will be similar to Arkansas, with more 100° days in summer and very little snow in winter.

Despite wind and solar energy being cheaper-- and reliable-- with battery storage, and countries such as France, Germany, Portugal-- even Pakistan-- adding solar power quickly to accomplish net zero energy before mid-century, U.S. federal and Ohio supermajority lawmakers have doubled down on fossil fuels.

“Climate change is real, it is here, and without action now, it will only get worse. Last year Ohio had 36 days over 90 degrees, while in 1974, we had 11,” said Zemper. “Each of us has only one life, and that life requires us to be good stewards of the planet. We all have a responsibility to pass on a livable planet to our children, grandchildren and future generations.”

Ohio civic, religious or other private groups that would like to schedule a presentation can contact Save Ohio Parks at hello@saveohioparks.org.