Gargantuan destruction

It’s a badge of economic success — or excess — that can be seen from space.

The gargantuan development of Alberta’s oilsands is visible from beyond the ozone layer and promises to be more apparent as the planet’s insatiable thirst for its bounty increases, says Dan Woynillowicz of the environment watchdog Pembina Institute.

“One of the most alarming things the UN has documented is the sheer footprint of the oilsands,” says Woynillowicz.
With Alberta the runaway leader in the creation of greenhouse gases believed to fuel global warming, the oilsands are coming under increasing scrutiny for their emissions-intensive operations.

Producing one barrel of oil from the treasured sludge consumes enough natural gas to heat a home for five days.

In a recent report, federal environment commissioner Johanne Gelinas said emissions from the oilsands, which have risen by 50% since 1990, have the potential of cancelling out any other efforts at reducing greenhouse gases.

What’s more, the projects are consuming twice the amount of water annually used by the City of Calgary.

Calgary Sun