On Thursday, February 24 at 7 pm you can learn all about hydraulic fracturing or “fracking,” the process by which natural gas and oil is extracted from the ground. Josh Fox set out to examine the harmful effects of natural-gas drilling, from poisoned water resources to kitchen sink taps that burst into flame to unhealthy animals and people.

The natural gas industry claims to have a viable alternative to our dwindling energy resources and they have registered a complaint with the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences claiming that a wealth of errors should render the film ineligible for best documentary feature.

“The filmmaker alternates between misstating and outright ignoring basic and verifiable facts related to the impact of these activities on the health and welfare of humans, wildlife and the environment,” wrote Lee Fuller, executive director for Energy in Depth (EID), a front group for a coalition of trade associations for the oil and gas industry that include the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA).

National Wildlife Federation reporter Megan Blevins says, “Last time I checked, people’s tap water lighting on fire greatly impacts the health and welfare of humans, wildlife and environment. Why is this so hard for some to believe?”

The film is blurring the boundaries between cinema and a social movement, having launched a wave of social media response on Twitter, Facebook, online petitions, blogs and Websites. Visit the official site: GaslandTheMovie.com to learn more. You will be encouraged to act… and “retweet” the following to automatically sign the film board petition:

RT @wildlifeaction petition @TheAcademy to Support the truth on #fracking in @Gasland, not industry PR http://act.ly/31a RT to sign

Just Google “Gasland” to see thousands of search engine responses.

Greens N Grains Deli hosts a natural and organic dinner special each evening before the Film Society screening. Enjoy a delicious soup specialty, salad, a fresh baked roll and a cup of tea for $7.50, available from 6 pm on. The Film Society screenings take place at 7 pm and there is no charge for membership but seating at screenings is limited to 30 people. Dinner and film reservations are requested.

Greens N Grains Natural Foods and Deli is open daily from 10 am – 5 pm – except on movie nights when they will remain open until 9 pm – in downtown Egg Harbor at 7821 Hwy 42, and can be reached at 920.868.9999 or by email at info@greens-n-grains.com. The store’s Website features news and special monthly discount flyers at Greens-N-Grains.com.

Kathy Navis tells viewers she has seen more people looking for eggs produced in Northeast Wisconsin, especially in Door County where chicken farmers have hundreds of chickens, instead of hundreds of thousands. She says, “we’ve seen about a 25 to 50 percent increase in egg sales.”

The Organic Consumers Association provides the following things we can to do to get moving in the right direction:

1. Congress should exempt small-scale, direct-to-consumer, local, pasture-based, and organic farmers and food processors from inappropriate food safety regulations. Support Tester-Hagan amendments to Senate Bill 510.

Take Action

2. Consumers should swear off factory-farmed animal products and eat vegetarian when pasture-raised organic isn’t available. We also need to press the USDA to require pasture for organic chickens, as it has for cows.

Take Action

3. Regulators should phase-out the worst factory farming practices. To address salmonella, we can start by banning battery cages. The USDA organic standards ban battery cages. Michigan and California are the first states to pass phase-out laws. Banning battery cages can cut the risk of salmonella contamination in half.

Learn More

4. Localities should lift restrictions on residents raising chickens in their backyards.

CNN Video