human
I've heard a lot of negative things about the fracking industry. What is it and what are the potential risks?
assistant
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a technique used to extract oil and natural gas from shale formations by pumping water and sand into the well at high pressure. The process creates cracks in the rock that allow the oil and gas to flow more easily out of the ground. While there have been many positive benefits associated with fracking, such as increased production of oil and gas, there have also been concerns raised over environmental impacts, including contamination of groundwater, air pollution, and seismic activity. These risks need to be carefully monitored and addressed before any decisions are made on whether to continue using this technology.