In 2000, shale beds provided only 1% of the United States' natural gas supply. Today, that percentage is around 25%, exponential growth (“Is Hydraulic Fracturing a Good Idea?”). Much of this increase in production is due to the growing popularity of hydraulic fracturing, also known as "fracking," a process used to release oil or gas from underground formations that would otherwise be too difficult to exploit. According to the United States Energy Information Administration, "shale gas deposits or fields in the United States, including the Marcellus, in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New York, and the Barnett, in Texas, are believed to contain sufficient natural gas. to power the country for 110 years. Economically, fracking appears to be the answer to our energy conflict when the benefits are laid out before you. However, while all of these statistics seem nothing short of great, the process of fracking appears to many to be a huge problem and an environmental and dangerous threat to human health, but one that can be solved. Although this is a very touchy subject to discuss, I have come to believe that fracking is the answer to our energy crisis, at least for now. The main reason for this is that it is simply easier to resolve and understand how to prevent the environmental risks associated with a viable energy resource than to find an entirely new energy source altogether. The only obvious advantage of hydraulic fracturing is its economic benefits and the simple fact that hydraulic fracturing actually works. Hydraulic fracturing has given us tons of new, clean natural gas and oil reserves from shale, a rock formed from mud and clay that could not be used effectively for anything else. These supplies give our country hope about the availability of energy...... middle of paper ......do. While this topic is certainly subjective, I think the answer is clear. Hydraulic fracturing is revolutionary and undeniably a realistic way to acquire natural gas and oil. There are certainly downsides to the process, but as Ryan Lance said, they've only scratched the surface of the benefits humanity can gain from fracking. Over the years, technology will progress, new elements consistent with hydraulic fracturing may be discovered, etc. As often as we try, the future cannot be predicted. However, when it comes to the production and extraction of a natural resource, I do not believe there is currently a more predictable and reliable solution to this environmental crisis. Hydraulic fracturing works, and as humans adapt and grow intellectually, I think there will be very few downsides to the hydraulic fracturing process. All we can do now is try to eliminate the defects associated with it..