The debate over hydraulic fracturing for shale gas (fracking) is often presented as one of conservation versus economic growth -- in particular by proponents of the process, who claim that fracking is the only answer -- the "magic bullet" -- for job creation and economic growth in the province (even if opponents of the process have raised doubts about the job-creation potential).

Fracking is a new and unproven technology. There are serious risks to air and water quality from the chemicals pumped underground as part of the fracking process, and the storage of wastewater associated with the process. The risks of this process have been highlighted by the Cleary Report, by concerned citizens in this province, and by experts such as Anthony Ingraffea of Cornell University. In places where fracking is already occurring -- such as in Pennsylvania -- there have been issues with contaminated water supplies and well leaks.

In addition to these environmental and public health concerns, there is also an economic opportunity cost to fracking. The massive industrial operations associated with fracking would fundamentally change the character of New Brunswick's rural and natural landscapes. These landscapes are an attraction for tourism and (potentially) for new residents, as well as a being an important part of our province's identity as a smaller province of pristine natural and rural landscapes.

In a peer-reviewed article for the academic journal Landscape Research, social scientist Elizabeth O'Brien examined public attitudes towards forested landscapes in Vermont, a smaller jurisdiction like New Brunswick, through interviews and focus groups. The results showed that Vermont's forested landscape held important quality of life advantages, for example in being a source of recreational activities such as hiking and skiing among residents from Vermont's largest city, Burlington, who were originally from out of state.

The interviews showed that three of the Burlington residents interviewed had chosen lower paying jobs in Vermont because they wanted to be involved in outdoor activities and be closer to nature. The study further found that Vermont's forested landscape was important for local identity and pride.

Vermont is a destination for young professionals and entrepreneurs who want an alternative to larger cities such as New York City and Boston. New Brunswick has this same potential, both in attracting new residents and tourists, but only if the province's rural landscapes and pristine natural environments are preserved.

The use and enjoyment forests and other natural surroundings, while intangible and without a directly measurable monetary value, are important to account for. In addition to enjoyment and use values, they yield economic benefits in tourism and attraction of new residents -- something that comes from these intangible use values.

In previous articles for this online newspaper, I have cited the benefits of Vermont's policies of preserving its natural heritage (and advantages) -- in curbing sprawl, promoting city and town centres, preserving forests and farmlands -- and in this process reaping economic benefits from tourism and new residents.

Vermont's unemployment numbers have been consistently below US rates -- with September 2012 numbers being 5.4 per cent versus 7.8 per cent for the United States as a whole. On the creativity index -- a measure employed by economic development expert Richard Florida in aggregating indicators related to technology, talent/education of the workforce, and social tolerance -- Vermont's only metropolitan area -- Burlington-South Burlington -- ranked 15th out of 361 metropolitan areas in the United States.

Furthermore, in addition to IBM offices located in the state, Vermont boasts locally-based enterprises that have achieved international fame, including Green Mountain Coffee, Ben & Jerry's Ice-cream, and Burton Snowboards which was key in the development of the modern sport of snowboarding.

Vermont's natural advantages are a draw for entrepreneurs and professionals. This is something which New Brunswick policy-makers must be cognizant of. We need policy oriented to building a 21st-century creative economy with emphasis on investing in education, promoting high-tech and other entrepreneurial endeavours, and modernizing agriculture and forestry so they are sustainable enterprises in the 21st century.

There has been a public outcry against fracking in the province -- 20,000 New Brunswickers signed a petition calling for a ban on fracking. The opening of the New Brunswick Legislature saw a march through downtown Fredericton of New Brunswickers demanding a halt to new licenses and exploration, culminating in a demonstration on the grounds of the Legislative Assembly.

With the new Legislative session, the debate over fracking will almost certainly be at the forefront. In addition to the concerns about public health and environmental sustainability, the economic opportunity costs must be a central part of this debate.

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• State Lawmakers And Environmental Activists Express Opposition To Hydro Fracking

  NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 11: Opponents of hydraulic fracturing in New York state attend a news conference and rally against hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, on January 11, 2012 in New York City. The event, which was held on the steps of City Hall, called for an end to the controversial gas drilling method as environmental groups increasingly warn about contamination of the state's aquifers that could poison its drinking water. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

• State Lawmakers And Environmental Activists Express Opposition To Hydro Fracking

  NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 11: Eric Weltman of Food & Water Watch attends a news conference and rally against hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, in New York State on January 11, 2012 in New York City. The event, which was held on the steps of City Hall, called for an end to the controversial gas drilling method as environmental groups increasingly warn about contamination of the state's aquifers that could poison its drinking water. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

• Department Of Environmental Conservation Holds Hydro Fracking Hearing

  NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 30: Opponents and supporters of gas-drilling, or fracking, walk into the last of four public hearings on proposed fracking regulations in upstate New York on November 30, 2011 in New York City. Fracking, a process that injects millions of gallons of chemical mixed water into a well in order to release gas, has become a contentious issue in New York as critics of the process belive it contaminates drinking water among other hazards. NewYork City gets much of its drinking water from upstate reservoirs. If the regulations are approved, drilling in the upstate New York Marcellus Shale could begin next year. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

• Cuadrilla Shale Fracking Plant

  PRESTON, LANCASHIRE - OCTOBER 07: Engineers on the drilling platform of the Cuadrilla shale fracking facility on October 7, 2012 in Preston, Lancashire. The controversial method of extracting gas by pumping high pressure water and chemicals into shale formations deep underground has been blamed for two minor earthquakes in the surrounding region. Environmental campaigners are calling for a halt to the drilling of what Cuadrilla believe could be significant reserves of natural gas. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)

• Cuadrilla Shale Fracking Plant

  PRESTON, LANCASHIRE - OCTOBER 07: Engineers at work on the drilling platform of the Cuadrilla shale fracking facility on October 7, 2012 in Preston, Lancashire. The controversial method of extracting gas by pumping high pressure water and chemicals into shale formations deep underground has been blamed for two minor earthquakes in the surrounding region. Environmental campaigners are calling for a halt to the drilling of what Cuadrilla believe could be significant reserves of natural gas. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)

• Cuadrilla Shale Fracking Plant

  PRESTON, LANCASHIRE - OCTOBER 07: General views of the Cuadrilla shale fracking facility on October 7, 2012 in Preston, Lancashire. The controversial method of extracting gas by pumping high pressure water and chemicals into shale formations deep underground has been blamed for two minor earthquakes in the surrounding region. Environmental campaigners are calling for a halt to the drilling of what Cuadrilla believe could be significant reserves of natural gas. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)

• Cuadrilla Shale Fracking Plant

  PRESTON, LANCASHIRE - OCTOBER 07: Engineers look at the Cuadrilla shale fracking facility on October 7, 2012 in Preston, Lancashire. The controversial method of extracting gas by pumping high pressure water and chemicals into shale formations deep underground has been blamed for two minor earthquakes in the surrounding region. Environmental campaigners are calling for a halt to the drilling of what Cuadrilla believe could be significant reserves of natural gas. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)

• Cuadrilla Shale Fracking Plant

  PRESTON, LANCASHIRE - OCTOBER 07: A lump of shale rock on display at the Cuadrilla shale fracking facility on October 7, 2012 in Preston, Lancashire. The controversial method of extracting gas by pumping high pressure water and chemicals into shale formations deep underground has been blamed for two minor earthquakes in the surrounding region. Environmental campaigners are calling for a halt to the drilling of what Cuadrilla believe could be significant reserves of natural gas. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)

• Cuadrilla Shale Fracking Plant

  PRESTON, LANCASHIRE - OCTOBER 07: Engineers on the drilling platform of the Cuadrilla shale fracking facility on October 7, 2012 in Preston, Lancashire. The controversial method of extracting gas by pumping high pressure water and chemicals into shale formations deep underground has been blamed for two minor earthquakes in the surrounding region. Environmental campaigners are calling for a halt to the drilling of what Cuadrilla believe could be significant reserves of natural gas. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)

• Cuadrilla Shale Fracking Plant

  PRESTON, LANCASHIRE - OCTOBER 07: Engineers at work on the drilling platform of the Cuadrilla shale fracking facility on October 7, 2012 in Preston, Lancashire. The controversial method of extracting gas by pumping high pressure water and chemicals into shale formations deep underground has been blamed for two minor earthquakes in the surrounding region. Environmental campaigners are calling for a halt to the drilling of what Cuadrilla believe could be significant reserves of natural gas. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)

• Cuadrilla Shale Fracking Plant

  PRESTON, LANCASHIRE - OCTOBER 07: Drill heads on display at the entrance to the Cuadrilla shale fracking facility on October 7, 2012 in Preston, Lancashire. The controversial method of extracting gas by pumping high pressure water and chemicals into shale formations deep underground has been blamed for two minor earthquakes in the surrounding region. Environmental campaigners are calling for a halt to the drilling of what Cuadrilla believe could be significant reserves of natural gas. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)

• Cuadrilla Shale Fracking Plant

  PRESTON, LANCASHIRE - OCTOBER 07: An engineer displays a lump of shale rock at the Cuadrilla shale fracking facility on October 7, 2012 in Preston, Lancashire. The controversial method of extracting gas by pumping high pressure water and chemicals into shale formations deep underground has been blamed for two minor earthquakes in the surrounding region. Environmental campaigners are calling for a halt to the drilling of what Cuadrilla believe could be significant reserves of natural gas. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)

• Hydraulic Fracturing Prevention Press Conference

  NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: Actor/director Mark Ruffalo (C) speaks at the Hydraulic Fracturing prevention press conference urging the protection of the drinking water source of 15 million Americans at Foley Square on April 25, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by D Dipasupil/Getty Images)

• Hydraulic Fracturing Prevention Press Conference

  NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: (L-R) Actor/director Mark Ruffalo, Denise Katzman, Wenonah Hauter, and Water Defense co-founder/campaign director Claire Sandberg attend the Hydraulic Fracturing prevention press conference urging the protection of the drinking water source of 15 million Americans at Foley Square on April 25, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by D Dipasupil/Getty Images)

• Josh Fox on Obama, the EPA, and House Republicans Who Had Him Arrested

  HuffPost Green Editor Joanna Zelman talks to Josh Fox, director of the documentary 'Gasland,' about hydro-fracking, the EPA, and the House Republicans who had him arrested during a Congressional hearing.

• Game Changer in Green: Mark Ruffalo

  The expertise and the grassroots zeal Mark Ruffalo has brought to the issue of fracking is changing the game in green.

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