Gasland, Part I

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC | The Halliburton-developed drilling technology of “fracking” or hydraulic fracturing has unlocked a “Saudia Arabia of natural gas” just beneath us. But is fracking safe? When filmmaker Josh Fox is asked to lease his land for drilling, he embarks on a cross-country odyssey uncovering a trail of secrets, lies and contamination. A recently drilled nearby Pennsylvania town reports that residents are able to light their drinking water on fire. This is just one of the many absurd and astonishing revelations of a new country called GASLAND. Part verite travelogue, part expose, part mystery, part bluegrass banjo meltdown, part showdown.

In case you’re wondering why we’re including a movie about fracking, it’s because the vast majority of plastic made in America is now made from a byproduct of fracking (plus chemicals). In fact, the ever-increasing sale of plastics is the oil and gas industry’s plan for how to make up for falling revenues as the demand for fracked gas falls. Plastics and fracking are inextricably linked!

Suitable for highschool students and up, 1 hour and 42 minutes long.

How to Watch: Stream it free via Films for Action (https://www.filmsforaction.org/watch/gasland-2010/) or rent it for $3.99 or buy it on iTunes or Amazon.

For more information, please visit the Beyond Plastics Website.