The Karoo is the largest ecosystem in South Africa and is home to a fascinating diversity of life, all having adapted to survive an unforgiving landscape. Natural gas exploration has now come to invade this magnificent land in order to exploit its natural resources. A moratorium has been placed on granting exploration licenses to major fuel companies, which allows them to use hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, as a means to extract gas from the earth. Hydraulic fracturing is a drilling technique used to extract shale gas from deep underground. It involves pumping enormous volumes of water, sand and chemicals into horizontally drilled wells under great pressure to shatter the rock layer and release trapped gas.

Jonathan Deal is the Chairman of the Treasure the Karoo Action Group (TKAG). He has led the campaign against hydraulic fracturing in the Karoo and recently won a court action requiring the Mineral Resources Minister to release the names of the task team assessing the pros and cons of fracking. Mr. Deal is also contesting claims that the Karoo would benefit from this development.  Will the Karoo sustain environmental devastation from natural gas development? What are the risks to the water supply? Will the benefits that the industry claims be forthcoming?

Tune in to this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, as host, June Stoyer is joined by special guest, Jonathan Deal, Chairman of Treasure The Karoo, to discuss this battle to protect the Karoo.