Canada’s fight against emissions from the Alberta tar sands
There’s a good position piece over at The Tyee that discusses the looming crisis set to take place over the Alberta tar sands. The Premier of Alberta, Ed Stelmach, refuses to admit there’s a huge issue for concern and oil-friendly Stephen Harper refuses to take a major position, which has left the provinces to develop their own mitigation techniques.
The tar sands have quickly grown to become the most destructive project on Earth. Their greenhouse gas emissions are the main reason Canada’s emissions keep rising, the main reason we cannot live up to international agreements, the main reason we are becoming an international pariah on the most important issue facing humanity.
By refusing to act aggressively on global warming, Stephen Harper has ceded the field to the provinces. Some, like B.C. and Quebec have stepped into this vacuum and given Canadians the action they want. But Alberta has taken advantage of the vacuum to stomp on the gas pedal, with exploding emissions from the tar sands being the result.
If this is something that you’re interested in, the first comment following the article is well worth the read.
Cory — January 28, 2008 @ 12:06 pm
The premiers of each province are meeting in BC this week but reports indicate that the guy everyone wants a piece of, Ed Stelmach, is heading home before discussions turn ugly. Good to see that the people running this country have the guts to stand up for their principles.