JOHN YELD
Environment & Science Writer
“HUMAN polar bear” Lewis Pugh is best known for his exploits in extremely cold environments, but his address to the Cape Town Press Club about the dangers of fracking for shale gas in the Karoo generated a surprising amount of heat.
This was because of a sharp verbal clash between Pugh, guest speaker at the club’s lunch on Friday, and well-known Cape Town economist Brian Kantor, who pointed out that the region’s gas reserves were estimated to be the fifth largest in the world.
If exploited, the gas could provide the equivalent of 400 years of South Africa’s current oil consumption, said Kantor, an emeritus professor at UCT where he was dean of the commerce faculty and a visiting fellow at the Graduate School of Business, and chief economist and strategist at Investec Wealth and Investment.
Because of its huge economic value, there had to be a “full and proper debate” about its exploitation.
But while Pugh “absolutely” wanted an open debate, fracking would devastate the region’s critical water supply, he insisted. The time had come for the world to move away from fossil fuel use, and embrace renewable energy forms, he said.
The ice swimmer-turned-environmental campaigner spoke passionately about the dangers fracking posed, particularly because of the huge water requirements of this type of operation, and possible damage to aquifers (natural stores of underground water).
He argued that water was being treated “with utter contempt”.
Although the government’s recently imposed moratorium on fracking was “a very major victory” for those opposing it, it was still just a moratorium, he added.
He challenged people to get involved in the campaign against fracking, and for politicians – including President Jacob Zuma and his cabinet ministers – to state their views on fracking.
During question time, Kantor raised Pugh’s ire when he said people needed an income.
“The scientists will engage on this (fracking) issue, and with technological advances we may well be able to deal with the issues.
“The income here is enormous – this resource (shale gas) is of enormous potential value. You should allow a full and proper debate on this issue... it’s about income.”
Pugh retorted: “Well, before people were earning an income, they were drinking water.”
He was committed to an open debate, but was convinced a majority would come down on the side of no fracking, he said.
“If we frack out the gas, we create employment for 10 to 15 years. But what about our children and grandchildren?... Your (Kantor’s) position, with respect, is a short-term position. We need to move to renewable, we’ve moved beyond fossil fuels.”
Kantor said his impression was that debate about fracking “is not encouraged”.
Pugh responded: “Your impression is untenable.”