The danger from the United States: Why 70% of German LNG imports are fracking gas
The danger from the United States: Why 70% of German LNG imports are fracking gas
New report proves harmful influence of Germany's gas hunger: German environmental aid calls for import ban from fracking gas
A new report by the German Environmental Aid (DUH) together with the NGOS Food and Water Action Europe and Gas No Es Solución shows that in 2023 70 percent of all German imports of liquid gas (LNG) were harmful fracking gas from the USA. 88 percent were fracking gas. Of the 7.1 billion cubic meters of LNG, about 80 percent came from the USA.
The LNG imports from the USA to the EU have almost tripled compared to 2021, from 22 to 64 billion cubic meters. This is due to the massive expansion of the fracking areas in the USA and the approval of a doubling of the LNG export capacities.
The DUH criticizes the federal government's energy policy as the main driver for the US fracking boom. The massive expansion of LNG terminals in Germany and the long-term delivery contracts concluded by German banks and companies lead to increased fracking activities and the construction of further export termals in the USA.
The effects of fracking on people in the regions with fracking and export termals are serious. Increased cancer rates, respiratory diseases, miscarriages and pollutant breathing air and drinking water are just a few of the consequences. In the immediate vicinity of the Texas LNG export terminal Corpus Christi, life expectancy is, for example, up to 15 years lower than in other parts of the city.
The DUH therefore calls for a ban on imports from the Federal Government to stop human rights violations in the LNG supply chain and to protect the health of people.
Sascha Müller-Kraenner, federal manager of the DUH, commented on the situation: "In Germany, slate gap fracking is prohibited for a good reason: it is the most healthy and environmental natural gas that exists at all. The federal government accepts the associated damage abroad to breastfeed the gas hunger. This is pure dual moral. USA is directly related to the structure of our LNG overcaps.
The federal government must meet its responsibility for fossil supply chains and stop the import of fracking gas in order to save future generations the consequences of climate change.
The DUH has already collected over 11,000 signatures for its petition, which is to be presented to the Petitions Committee of the German Bundestag by the end of the year.
left:
- On the full report: [Link]
- For the petition for an import ban from fracking gas: [Link]
FAZIT
The new report by the German Environmental Aid (DUH) clearly shows the harmful influence of Germany's gas hunger. Much of the German imports of liquid gas dates from the USA and consists of 88 percent of harmful fracking gas. The DUH calls on the Federal Government to issue an import ban on fracking gas in order to protect people's health and to combat climate change. The Petition of the DUH has already received over 11,000 signatures and will be presented to the Petitions Committee of the German Bundestag.