Pod Academy

The UK government has just announced tax breaks for companies fracking for shale gas. Is that a sound investment in our future energy security, or a misguided waste of public money?  Should the money have been allocated to renewables? Are fracking protesters just 'scaremongering'? Are these tax breaks just another example of business as usual for the big fossil fuel companies? This podcast records the fracking debate in The Rational Parliament, which explored all sides of the argument around hydraulic fracturing for shale gas. The Rational Parliament, founded by science journalist Adam Smith, aims to have rational debates on hot topics of the day, debates that are not subject to unchallenged wild claims, debates that balance views and values alongside research evidence.  The Parliament even has a 'rhetoric officer', Johnny Unger who comments on the rhetorical devices used by speakers in the debate. The first debate of the Parliament, earlier this year, was about GM food.  This, the second debate, looked