I WELCOME the coverage concerning shale gas exploration (The Press, November 26).

A report commissioned by the Government’s chief scientific advisor, Mark Walport, has concluded that hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract gas from shale deposits could be an environmental and health disaster comparable to thalidomide, benzene, dioxins or asbestos.

A report from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on the impact of fracking on house prices was heavily censored, presumably because it did not match the Government’s policy to back shale gas because it is apparently cleaner than oil or coal, and cheaper.

Studies in the USA suggest real environmental threats from fracking so the precautionary principle ought to apply. Meanwhile shale gas businesses pursue short-term profit, regardless of the environmental costs.

The key question is climate change. If we must stop burning fossil fuels as the UN demanded four weeks ago, then the dash for shale gas is foolish, even if it could be extracted safely.

Shale gas diverts attention from conservation efforts and renewable energy. Our local power station at Drax, once dependent on coal, is switching to carbon-neutral biomass to produce seven per cent of UK electricity needs.

The government, Labour and Ukip are shale gas enthusiasts. The Liberal Democrats sit on the fence. The public should demand debate, transparency, and honesty from our representatives, or the consequences could be severe indeed.

Simon Sweeney, York Management School, University of York.