oil sands
Newsletter
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Canada's oil sands pollution significantly underestimated
A recent study reveals that air pollution from Canada’s oil sands is up to 64 times higher than industry reports, matching the total emissions from all human-caused sources in Canada.
In short:
- The study used aircraft sensors to measure a wider range of pollutants than industry methods.
- Emissions include volatile organic compounds and particulates harmful to health.
- Indigenous communities have long expressed concerns about health impacts from oil sands pollution.
Key quote:
"The magnitude of emissions observed from oil sands operations was surprising, compared both to their reported emissions and to the total from all anthropogenic sources across Canada."
— John Luggio and Drew Gentner, study authors
Why this matters:
The underestimation of emissions raises significant health concerns, particularly for nearby Indigenous communities. The oil sands, one of the largest industrial projects in the world, have been under scrutiny for their environmental impact for years. This new data suggests that the true extent of their pollution is much greater, posing increased risks to air quality and health in surrounding communities.
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Credit: 1photo/Big Stock Photo
Rethinking the narrative on oilsands and green initiatives
Researchers unveil how Canada's largest oilsands entities have skewed the public's understanding of their environmental footprint, according to a new study in Energy Research and Social Science.
In short:
- The Pathways Alliance's promotional strategies have been critiqued for obscuring the real environmental impact of the oilsands, particularly concerning carbon emissions.
- Despite claims of moving toward net-zero emissions, the study argues that the Alliance's plans might allow for increased emissions in the near term.
- Criticism includes a lack of transparency on the costs and the amount of government funding needed for their proposed carbon capture and storage network.
Key quote:
"Their messaging omits important information, uses misleading framing and comparisons, and fails to meet standards expected of a credible net-zero plan."
— Study findings
Why this matters:
Oilsands mining involves clearing vast stretches of land, often disrupting delicate ecosystems and habitats. However, companies have sometimes minimized the scale of this disruption in their reports and communications, masking the true environmental toll.
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Credit: 1photo/Big Stock Photo
Canada's oil sands emit more air pollutants than previously reported
A new study reveals that Canada's tar sands operations emit air pollutants at levels significantly higher than previously estimated, posing a serious environmental and health concern.
In short:
- The study, published in Science, used aircraft measurements to find organic carbon emissions from Canada's tar sands are 20 to 64 times higher than reported by companies.
- These emissions include compounds contributing to hazardous air pollution and particulate matter that can travel long distances, affecting air quality far beyond the immediate area.
- The findings highlight a critical underestimation of pollution levels, raising concerns about the health impacts on local and distant communities.
Key quote:
"The absolute magnitude of those emissions were a lot higher than what we expected."
— John Liggio, research scientist, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Why this matters:
This revelation underscores the often-underestimated environmental impact of oil sands operations, directly affecting air quality and health outcomes. It also raises significant questions about current regulatory practices and the need for more accurate pollution monitoring, resonating with broader environmental and health concerns on a national scale.
Be sure to read about the Native tribes, hell-raisers and lawyers who have combined to battle pipeline projects.
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Martin Lukacs, Max Fawcett: Should we nationalize the oil sands?
Martin Lukacs, investigative journalist, editor at The Breach and author of The Trudeau Formula says yes. Max Fawcett, freelance writer and former editor of Alberta Oil magazine says no.
www.nytimes.com
Biden administration backs oil sands pipeline project
The administration urged a court to throw out a challenge brought by tribal and environmental groups, backing a pipeline that would carry Canadian oil across Minnesota and Wisconsin.
www.cbc.ca
Keystone XL is cancelled — so now what?
TC Energy's decision to terminate the Keystone XL pipeline project doesn’t put to rest a couple of key questions still hanging over it.
apnews.com
Keystone XL pipeline nixed after Biden stands firm on permit
The sponsor of the Keystone XL crude oil pipeline pulled the plug on the contentious project Wednesday after Canadian officials failed to persuade President Joe Biden to reverse his cancellation of its permit on the day he took office.
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