Water and air pollution, water shortages, permanent degradation of productive agricultural land and loss of livelihood and landscape, all have mental health consequences for communities living in a gas field. The CSG process can divide previously close-knit rural communities, increasing tension and disharmony, impact on local economies, and threaten other industries such as tourism. Climate change is also an important health issue over the CSG, and the carbon footprint of CSG over coal is said to be lower. Does this override other considerations such as viable drinking water or degradation of agricultural land?
