Some think it is strange times when traditional Aussie farmers and the green movement stand side by side. But when the common concern is for our precious ground water and the potential for its contamination from coal seam gas extraction then it starts to make sense. And just to get an idea how worrisome it may get, Magnetic Island Nature Care (MINCA) are screening the multi-award-winning 'Gasland', an astonishing film from the home of the problem, the USA.

Part vérité travelogue, part exposé, part mystery, part showdown, GasLand is “a compelling and emotional first-person story of discovery and, ultimately, empowerment. Rough-hewn yet poetic, the film is a desperate plea for scrutiny of a powerful industry that has now turned its eyes on a new, massive and (for now) largely unexplored territory: Australia”.

In Australia, conservationist's concerns about coal seam gas (CSG) extraction relate not just to the contribution of escaping methane - a greenhouse gas 20+ times worse than CO2 - but the process of ‘fracking’ (the high pressure injection of water and a myriad of chemicals into the coal seam in order to fracture the seam and release the gas). Fracking releases vast quantities of salt water with the potential to contaminate Australia's aquifers and artesian bores which threatens farmers.

Gasland will be screened free at 7pm at X-Base, Nelly Bay on Thursday 17 November.

Base will also be providing free nibblies and MINCA are hoping the screening may attract contributions for their ongoing work.

To find out more about MINCA (CLICK HERE)