The Global Environmental Implications of Unconventional Fossil Fuel Development

Argentina has the second largest shale gas reserve in the world and the environmental costs and benefits of developing this resource have yet to be studied. Professor Andres Clarens (UVa Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering) is looking at the relationship between shale gas development, water quality, and climate change and was recently awarded a US Fulbright grant to support a sabbatical visit at the National Technical University of Argentina. In preparation for this visit, Professor Clarens is using CGII funds to make a planning visit to Argentina to begin to gather data and make contacts there.