Can Shale Gas Help Accelerate the Transition to Sustainability?

Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development, 57:1, 2015

13 Pages Posted: 1 Nov 2014 Last revised: 23 Jul 2015

See all articles by John C. Dernbach

John C. Dernbach

Widener University - Commonwealth Law School

James R. May

Widener University Delaware Law School

Date Written: 2015

Abstract

The sudden and unexpected development of shale gas has the potential to accelerate or hinder the transition to sustainability, depending on how it is handled. Sustainable development is a useful evaluative framework for shale gas development. It would have us analyze its environmental, social, economic, and security dimensions at the same time, and look for ways to make all four dimensions mutually reinforcing. Analyzing a broad range of issues, this article asks, and suggests answers to, the question of whether, or how, shale gas production can help accelerate the transition to sustainability.

Keywords: sustainable, sustainability, sustainable development, shale, shale gas, climate, hydrofracturing, greenhouse gas emissions, land use

JEL Classification: K00, K10, K32, Q00, Q01, Q10, Q2, Q3, Q4

Suggested Citation

Dernbach, John C. and May, James, Can Shale Gas Help Accelerate the Transition to Sustainability? (2015). Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development, 57:1, 2015, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2517926

John C. Dernbach (Contact Author)

Widener University - Commonwealth Law School ( email )

3800 Vartan Way
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9380
United States

James May

Widener University Delaware Law School ( email )

4601 Concord Pike
Wilmington, DE 19803-0406
United States

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