Tar Sands Destruction Set to Grow

Alberta Tar Sands to Increase Output 250% Over Next 10 Years

by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 06.18.08

Science & Technology (alternative energy)

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Alberta Tar Sands
Not all barrels of oil are created equal. Some take more energy and more water to get out of the ground than others, and tar sands, aka bituminous sands or extra heavy oil, are at the “extra dirty” end of the spectrum. So it’s not exactly good news for the environment to learn that a significant portion of the strong demand for oil in the next 10 years will be met by hydrocarbons from Alberta.

Top 10 Reason’s to Hate Canada’s Tar Sands

Top ten reasons to hate the tar sands

1. Residents of communities living downstream from tar sands operations are experiencing unusually high rates of rare cancers and auto-immune diseases. Dr. John O’Connor spoke out on the occurrance of rare cancer clusters in the community of Fort Chipewyan.

2. The Alberta tar sands are the fastest growing contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. By 2020 they will emit more GHG’s than double that produced by all the cars and trucks in Canada.

3. Development of the tar sands requires massive clear-cuts of the pristine, biodiverse boreal forest, which acts as a carbon sink. A area the size of the state of Florida is what is on the chopping block.