Below is the outline about the professional topic that I am interested in and currently working on. In my About Me Page, I mention the project that I am working on through the Anthropology Department at The Ohio State University at Marion. The main focus of this project is to develop an article about unconventional energy extraction and how it affects women in particular. The article will be completed this summer, which is kind of bitter sweet because it will be the end of a two year project. The theory of this article is that there are more female anti-fracking activists then men because women have more to lose in terms of health. For example, women are more susceptible to breast cancer that could be caused by some of the chemicals being incorporated into the extraction process. The article also argues that women are extremely protective of children and are concerned for their future. Finding sources of energy that are sustainable is a controversial topic and one of great interest. I will continue to be involved with this topic and I am excited to see what happens in the future.
Abstract:
Unconventional Energy Extraction, also known as fracking is the process by which oil and gas are obtained through the ground. Oil and gas are obtained by using a highly pressurized fluid, a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals which break up the underground rock. When the rock is broken, the hydrocarbons are released and flow through the well pipes up to the surface for extraction. Oil and gas companies such as Chesapeake Energy Corporation, are continuing the process of unconventional energy extraction for the time being. However, the entire process is very controversial, given the possibility that the chemicals in the extraction fluid could be causing illness and environmental destruction. The ideal option for all parties considered is to compromise by creating sustainable energy. One solution for obtaining sustainable energy is known as WWS (Wind, Water and Solar). Unfortunately, even though there are many people exploring this solution, it is expensive, time consuming and is seen as being insufficient at this point.
1.Introduction:
A. Unconventional Energy Extraction
B. Industrial processes
C. Affects that the processes have on the environment
2. Unconventional Energy Extraction & Women:
A. Industrial processes affect on women
B. Relationship between women and the industry
C. Health problems caused by processes
D. Controversial debates in society
3. Solutions for Sustainable Energy:
A. History of unconventional energy
B. Oil and gas production
C. Wind Water and Solar energy (WWS)
Five Sources:
Source #1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovft0goBLMI. This YouTube video is being used as evidence for one of my discussion points in the current article. This woman, Molly tells her story about how she became involved with the oil and gas industry by obtaining her CDL and driving truck. I then contrast this to women who are against fracking.
Source #2:
http://www.nbcnews.com/health/cancer/pink-drill-bits-bring-complaints-komen-tie-fracking-n223166. This source provides an interesting story that is of interest to the general public. The story is about how Baker Hughes, a company affiliated with the oil and gas industry, has teamed up with the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Susan G. Komen is one of the leading breast cancer awareness foundations in the U.S. This is an interesting article because it has inspired controversy. It begs the question, why is a breast cancer awareness foundation teaming up with a company who may actually be contributing to the overall development of cancer?
Source #3:
https://www.epa.gov/uic/class-ii-oil-and-gas-related-injection-wells#well_types. This source is great because it might be considered a background source. This is because it provides regulations and factual information about the fracking processes. The processes of unconventional energy extraction is provided in this source as well.
Source #4:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/energy/fracking/11949613/Women-dont-understand-fracking-leading-scientist-claims.html. This source is really focused on in the article. This is because a (female) scientific doctor is being depicted as a traitor to females collectively. Doctor Macdonald believes that women who dislike fracking do so because they aren’t intelligent enough to understand the extraction processes; specifically that women are incapable of understanding the scientific processes.
Source #5
http://vc.bridgew.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1741&context=jiws . This source is great, I was really excited to come across this article in particular because it deals directly with women being involved with the gas and oil industry. These articles are typically a rare find. This article poses the idea that the industry is anti-feminism because women are not hired in the industry due to traditional ways of thinking.