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CITATION Hughes /L 1033
CITATION Hughes /L 1033
CITATION Hughes /L 1033
Is Canada becoming addicted to oil? The oil sands provide Canada with a relatively
secure source of energy, income, and employment. Canadian oil reserves are the second largest
on the planet. As far as extraction methods go, the ones used in the Alberta oil sands are among
the most carbon intensive; there is increasing concern that the extraction methods are causing
unprecedented ecological harm. Oil companies need to cut down on the amount of oil that is
being produced from the oil sands because it is having a negative impact on the environment,
wild life, and on the people of Alberta. Some Albertans are angry about the oil sands and their
impact on the environment. The extraction and refining process dump large amount of pollutants
into the surrounding ecosystems. Finally the oil sands have increased Canada’s contribution to
global pollution.
Canada became the top source of US oil imports in 2000 at 16.4%[CITATION Hughes \l
1033 ]. Some Albertans are not happy about the oil sands impact on the environment and the
government’s lack of response to the problem. Albertans elected a new environmental minister
expecting changes; however the progress has been slow. Due to the negative impact on the
environment Alberta brands Canada with a bad reputation[ CITATION CrudeAwakening \l 1033 ].
The government should be implementing new standards towards how much pollution the oil
companies produce, and where the waste is disposed of. Some Albertans want to fly Canadians
to the oil sands to see the extent of the problem. Many new projects have been delayed however
other producers in the area are moving forward with building new projects.
Secondly, the extraction process of the oil is dumping waste into Albertan lakes, which
harms the natural ecosystems in the area. When compared to the average crude oil extraction
process, greenhouse gas emissions from the Alberta oil sands are approximately five to 15 per
cent higher[ CITATION Terry \l 1033 ]. Lake Chipewyan is an area near an oil sand waste
repository; the fish are growing moss and sores while rotting from the pollutants in the lake. The
fish from the lake cannot be sold by fisherman. The oil sands are also impacting the Athabasca
Delta; the region is a breeding ground for hundreds of species of birds, the area is being
Finally, Canada is one of the top polluting countries in the world. In Fort Chipewyan
cancer related deaths are on the rise, and are 30% more common than in southern Alberta
[ CITATION CrudeAwakening \l 1033 ]. First Nations people living near the oil sands report high
occurrences of fish and other wildlife displaying tumors and deformities; they are convinced that
the industry is responsible for the increased cancer rates. Mining and extraction of the oil is
causing destruction of Canada’s boreal forests and vast amounts of pollution. Tailings ponds are
huge dams meant to store waste water accumulated from the process of oil sands extraction. The
ponds cover a total of about 170 square kilometers[ CITATION Airdrie \l 1033 ]. The ponds are
supposed to restore the water back to its non-toxic conditions, however only a small portion of
the water is recycled while the rest sits in the ponds. Attempts at restoring the land after mining
does not return it to its original state, ecosystems are forever disturbed. The oil sands are
In conclusion, if the oil sands are allowed to continue, there will be negative
consequences on the environment, wildlife, and people. The oil will not last forever; Albertans
will be left with an ugly landscape. Pollution released into the environment and air will enhance
the global warming felt all around the world. Oil companies need to cut down on the amount of
oil that is being produced from the oil sands to protect the environment, wildlife, and the people
of Alberta.