Hydraulic fracturing is a controversial oil and gas extraction process developed in the late 1940s to gain access to natural gas deposits trapped miles beneath the soil of the United States. Hydraulic fracturing, also known as hydrofracking, is currently used in more than 20 states, including California. “California records show fracking operations in 10 counties: Colusa, Glenn, Kern, Los Angeles, Monterey, Sacramento, Santa Barbara, Sutter, Kings and Ventura, as well as in state waters off Los Angeles. Kern County is currently California's top oil-producing county; Halliburton (an American multinational that is also one of the world's largest oil producing companies with operations in more than 80 countries) estimates that 50 to 60% of new oil wells are fracked. Fracking is likely being done elsewhere in California, but it is not monitored by state officials.” The systematic process begins with drilling a vertical well approximately 1.5 miles into the rocky terrain and then horizontally through the shale rock. A mixture of sand, water and other additives is then pumped into the well. Next, drilled tools carrying the conductors travel down the shaft and once in place a shock is triggered intended to create new cracks in the rock and/or increase the size of existing cracks for better extraction. A popping agent is then pumped into the fractures to prevent them from closing once the pumping pressure is released. The injected products rise to the surface where they are stored in tanks or pits before recycling or disposal. Natural gases enter these fractures or fissures and are released through the well. While fracking may seem harmless due to the use of “organic” substances such as rock, sand and water, the bypro...... middle of paper...... factual information and the opportunity to vote, it gives us, the people, a sense of control. As a public health specialist, I believe I am obligated to defend the public, who are not fully informed and are at risk, and conclude that fracking is not the way to go. Its risks do not outweigh the potential benefits, and no steps have been taken to correct the negative impacts. We cannot allow the oil industry to bully our communities and deprive them of their rights. Requiring additional inspections of waste pits and outlets and keeping logs for daily maintenance are just a few ideas that can be considered to improve the situation. If fracking industries can consider the well-being of others and make the right corrections to their development, we can hope to see an accelerated shift in the transition to a zero-carbon environment sooner than expected.