Trust a Green to be arson about.

Greens and matches, or worse those automatic Bic lighters (shudder, shudder). There needs to be a tightening of regulations. If one child is saved from a fire bug Interstate Green etc etc.

He got his publicity. That is what the Greens 'Protest' Party is all about.

Next?

Loudmouth,

Due to the fact that there was a boat on the river (which he was in when he set the surface alight) it was clear the river bed was not bone dry! And having previously been dry would not cause anaerobic conditions in the river now, so the river itself was not the source of the methane; the coal seam must be. And its isotopic signature confirms that.

It's possible it was a coincidence that the gas leak from the coal seam into the river had nothing to do with the CSG operations, and indeed a CSIRO scientist monitoring it considers a link unlikely (though possible). No doubt we will hear a lot more about it in the future as more information becomes available, but meanwhile I consider a coincidence to be extremely unlikely. Dewatering (and a few km away, fracking) means that gas can move more freely through the coal seam. We know that previous CSG schemes around the world have resulted in gas leaks into rivers. But I'm not aware of anywhere where this has happened naturally in sufficient quantities to enable the river to be set on fire.

When will we know if the fool has managed to set a coal seam alight along the bank somewhere?

Those things can smoulder for hundreds of years.

The publicity would have been worth it, right? The ends justify the means.

Aidan, how could fracking increase the risk?

Foxy, I have heard stories about similar situation many years ago where bores have ignited.

Gas is a naturally occurring substance that I presume is continually building increased pressure and perhaps if untapped may well find its own way to the surface in the form of a huge bang. Just a theory.

CSG is also a perfect example of value adding a bi product that was previously extracted but wasted during the coal extraction process. Art least now it creates wealth and jobs and it is tipped to be a 100+ year industry. let's hope.

Since when did setting fires exhibit 'environmental awareness'?

For me, it exhibits environmental passion to set fire to a river, enough to show in visuals, just how badly the river is polluted.

A picture tells a thousand words.

sure its risky but fracking is also risky.

Readers should know that its a well known tactic to divert attention away from environmental, and other issues, by waiting until one or two people do something wrong and then focus on their act, call it a crime and then infer they are reckless, dangerous ...... which then automatically means they are a "TERRORIST."

I find it odd that concern about what this bloke MAY have done seems to be far greater than the risk that what the fracking is doing. What a perverted way to think.

See, how some people seek to manipulate your mind?

onthebeach,

"When will we know if the fool has managed to set a coal seam alight along the bank somewhere?"

The coal seam itself doesn't extend into the river.

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rehctub,

"Aidan, how could fracking increase the risk?"

Firstly by causing or enlarging a crack in the rocks above the coal seam. Secondly by enabling the gas to flow more easily within the coal seam, meaning more of it can reach the point where it can escape.