Unconventional Energy Development, Hydraulic Fracking, and The New Carbon Era: Ecological Modernization or Risk Society?

• In Event: 046 - Section on Environment and Technology Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 14. Energy Consumption and Carbon Markets

Abstract

While energy companies have helped create the conventional wisdom that they are leading a green technology revolution which will advance us into a clean, renewable energy future, in reality the industry is pouring most of its historic profits into new fossil-fuel projects involving the exploitation of unconventional oil and shale gas reserves through hydraulic fracking. This paper in progress traces the recent history of this shift in energy development policy and critically analyzes the opportunity-threat impacts of the New Carbon Era from both the perspectives of Ecological Modernization and Risk Society Theory. The implications of these findings are addressed.

Author

• Anthony E. Ladd, Loyola University-New Orleans