As a local resident, I'm pleased that the community in Penarth is starting to wake up to the threat of fracking. Anyone who thinks that fracking couldn't happen in Penarth need look no further than our friends and relatives in Llantrithyd, just 10 miles west. The villagers are putting up stiff resistance to a shale gas exploration site close to the heart of their community.

Penarth residents can get involved with Friends of the Earth's fracking campaign through our local groups in Barry and Cardiff. Friends of the Earth Cymru has submitted a petition at the National Assembly for Wales that calls for a halt to all fracking activity in Wales. The Welsh Government has the power to keep Wales frack-free because it controls all planning laws for onshore oil and gas. We're deeply concerned that the Welsh Government has thus far showed no interest in protecting our communities from the risks posed by drilling for fossil fuels under our feet.

Fracking is terrible news for climate change, it's bad news for the local environment and it is deeply unpopular wherever it takes place. It's time to put an end to fracking in Wales.

Gareth Clubb

Director, Friends of the Earth Cymru