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FRIDAY 4th MARCH 7 – 10pm NORTH EDINBURGH ARTS

US FILM SHOWS RISKS OF FRACKING

Communities invited to screening of American documentary

Community campaigners are inviting local people to view a documentary highlighting first-hand accounts of the effects of fracking in the United States.

Hands Over Our Scotland has helped organise a local screening of the film ‘Groundswell Rising’, featuring the testimonies of people in towns across America who have to live side-by-side with the fracking industry.

The film will be shown on Friday 4 March from 7 to 9:30pm at North Edinburgh Arts.

Dr Richard Dixon, Director of Friends of the Earth Scotland will introduce the film. He will be joined by Prof Andrew Watterson, Director of the Centre for Public Health and Population Health Research, and Head of the Occupational and Environmental Health Research Group, School of Health Sciences, University of Stirling for discussion after the screening.

Dr Richard Dixon said: “Scotland has to learn from the communities that have already had to live with fracking. Seeing the reality of having this dirty industry as a neighbour should persuade anyone that it’s not something we want here. For the sake of the climate and local people, fracking and unconventional fossil fuels are the last thing Scotland needs.”

Maria Montinaro, of Hands Over Our Scotland, who is accompanying the producer on a tour of UK, said: “This film shows the reality of what it means to live beside fracking operations, including the daily struggle of ordinary people to protect their children’s air and water.

“Their testimonies show what is potentially in store for communities around the Forth if our government allows big fossil fuel companies to go ahead with their plans. The first duty of any government is to protect its citizens. We call upon our Scottish Government to put the health and wellbeing of Scottish communities first –  banning this industry .”

Groundswell Rising has been praised by critics. LA Weekly said it ‘balances grim facts and expert analysis with scenes of ordinary people pushing back’, while Hollywood Reporter said it ‘delivers its arguments with a canny mixture of facts and emotion’.

Executive producer Mark Lichty will speak at the first screening at the University of Edinburgh. Mark is an attorney and former CEO of Bustin Industrial Products. Having been in manufacturing for many years, he is deeply concerned about the safety issues not being addressed by the oil and gas industry.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to meeting people of Edinburgh. The film shows how an industry rich with political connections managed to slip into a position of almost untouchable power and how at-risk communities have come together to fight back.

“Groundswell Rising is a documentary told by those who are living it, with honesty, passion and a sincere desire to protect our children and the world we leave them. I hope that Groundswell Rising will inspire people and politicians in Scotland to ban risky gas extraction once and for all.”

The Groundswell Rising screening at North Edinburgh Arts is part of a tour across central Scotland being organised by campaign group Hands Over Our Scotland.

Full screening details are available at www.groundswellscotland.com.

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