Water is needed in huge amounts in tarsands production and in all other construction stages of tarsands infrastructure across the continent. It takes five litres of water to produce one of usable petrol. There is also water used to move gas, build new tar pits or that water which becomes polluted in the outlying areas. Waste tailings ponds are so vast as to be visible from outer space at this early point in production. Water is now being privatized in slow motion, as “access rights” are available in Alberta. As production grows and climate change continues to parch southern Albertan land, more and more water will be needed to help supply fuel for the American market. This water will ultimately be diverted from rivers, lakes, farms and cities throughout Canada; the water levels in the Athabasca River have already dropped several meters. The Deh Cho/Mackenzie River is already threatened, both from development along its valley and it is downstream from tar sands operations. A generation ago, the Athabasca River was clear and drinking was common. Now, those that live with the river consider it poison and off-limits.
New report slams oil sands
BP process in Whiting called 'destructive'
May 20, 2010
BY GITTE LAASBY,
When BP Whiting starts processing more Canadian oil sands, residents near the refinery will experience more pollution and health effects from it, according to a new report by a coalition of environmental groups.
Tar sands oil extraction spreading rapidly, report warns
Friends of the Earth reports says extraction threatens environment as well as vulnerable communities
* Terry Macalister
* The Guardian, Monday 17 May 2010
The successful development of Canada's tar sands has triggered a rush by Shell and other oil companies to set up similar operations in Russia, Congo and even Madagascar, a new report reveals.
The Most Destructive Development on Earth: Coming to Trinidad and Tobago?
By Macdonald Stainsby
ZNet
Sunday, May 16, 2010
The end of offshore oil drilling? Not a chance
Energy companies are faced with the reality that new sources of oil are
just about limited to ever-deeper water
Eric Reguly
Globe and Mail
May. 13, 2010
For three weeks, about 5,000 barrels of oil a day have gushed out of BP’s
Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico. Gobs of black oil, and the weirdly
coloured slick – fuchsia in parts, as if Martha Stewart were hired for
artistic control – move ever closer to the Louisiana shore and the fecund
wetlands behind it. The ruptured pipes could spew oil for another two or
Canada's tar sands: a dangerous solution to offshore oil
Alberta is the 'safe' option for US oil needs – but its tar sands are far more environmentally damaging than Deep Horizon
o Heather McRobie
o guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 11 May 2010
Speech by Evo Morales Ayma, President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, before the G77 + China at the United Nations
May 7, 2010
I have come here to share the conclusions of the First World People’s Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth, held last April 20th to 22nd in Cochabamba, Bolivia. I convened this Conference because in Copenhagen the voice of the peoples of the world was not listened to or attended to, nor were established procedures respected by all States.
Nature Conservancy and Enbridge: partners in eco-crime
May 6, 2010
http://www.publiceyeonline.com/archives/004974.html
Call this a case of bad timing...or good timing, depending on your
perspective: yesterday, the Nature Conservancy of Canada announced Enbridge
Inc. would be donating $2.5 million to support its work. "We are proud
to partner with the Nature Conservancy of Canada and pleased that our
investment will help conserve some of Canada's best and most
ecologically important natural habitat," stated the pipeline firm's
Gulf spill hardens BC First Nations opposition to Enbridge tar sands pipeline
By David Beers May 5, 2010
The Tyee
A press release issued by the Wet'suwet'en and the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council matter of factly declares “Enbridge's pipeline and tanker project to British Columbia's coast isn't going to happen” and says the oil rig spill in the Gulf of Mexico has fortified B.C. First Nations’ opposition to the project.
BC First Nations took that message into a meeting of Enbridge Inc. executives and shareholders today in Calgary.
BP investors must urge transparency
Catherin Howarth
guardian.co.uk, Friday 7 May 2010
We are going to the ends of the earth to find the next barrel of oil – but at what price?
The as yet unstoppable oil spill gushing from a deepwater rig drilling for BP in the Gulf of Mexico looks set to have dire environmental and social consequences – for fragile ecosystems and wildlife, and for local residents and businesses. And let us not forget the 11 people who lost their lives in the explosion.
Keystone XL Pipeline hearing held in Fairbury
(5/06/2010) KHAS-TV - Thursday night, U.S. State Department officials will hear from the public about a pipeline that would carry Canadian oil through Nebraska. The first of 3 public meetings, starts at 7:00 Thursday night in Fairbury.
The TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline would run from tar sands near Hardisty, Alberta, to the Gulf Coast.
The hearings follow the release of a report about the environmental impact on Keystone XL.
Again, Thursday night's meeting begins at 7:00 at the Rock Island Railroad Depot.
