ABSTRACT
Technological advances involving the development of directional and horizontal drilling, 3D seismic imaging, and importantly hydraulic fracturing techniques, whereby pressurized liquid and sand are injected deep into the earth to fracture the rocks and to facilitate the flow of oil and gas, have all played a role. Hydraulic fracturing holds clear potential for intense social amplification of risk perceptions. In particular, shale gas development poses a series of intractable risk conundrums around key trade-offs within the energy trilemma; how should we balance meeting climate, security, and affordability goals, and who should judge what the "acceptable" balance should be? The chapter explores the potential acceptability or otherwise of trade-offs and values that might govern choices between different aspects of the energy trilemma an important first consideration will be to research carefully how varied publics are themselves understanding the issue of shale gas development and its implications.
