Celebrating a ban on fracking
Several years ago the Century interviewed Sandra Steingraber and reviewed her most recent book, Raising Elijah. Now, after six years of scientifically informed activism, Steingraber and others are celebrating in New York state, where Wednesday Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a ban on fracking.
“We cannot afford to make a mistake,” Cuomo said. “The potential risks [of fracking] are too great. In fact, they are not even fully known.”
Of yesterday’s victory Steingraber says this: ”It truly is a thing of beauty to see government living up to its purpose. Governments are tasked with protecting the health, safety and well-being of its citizenry.”
Steingraber’s remarks are moving, and they remind any activist—or jostle any would-be activist—with a primer on why we do what we do and how we persevere.
