Hey there friends,
Canada’s (until recently) continued economic growth in light of the US recession was fueled by high mineral prices and high oil prices, both of which are key commodities of our economy. Unfortunately for those living downstream (to the North) of the Alberta Tar Sands, increased demand for oil also means increased risks of cancer and other diseases.
We do not fully know the health and environmental effects of Tar Sand development, but we do know somethings: increased levels of chemicals and heavy metals in water in northern Alberta are killing people; our continued dependency on fossil fuels is polluting our skies and is leading to global climate change.
The short-term and unsustainable economic benefits afforded by continued Tar Sands development do not outweigh the future costs to our health and to our environment.
Below are some links to Tar Sands Resources:
Treehugger.com – Tar Sands Overview
From Greenpeace:
Increasing numbers of the small aboriginal community of Fort Chipewyan
(downstream from the Alberta Tar Sands) are being diagnosed and dying from
rare cancers and other auto-immune diseases. A recent water study confirmed
that the water in Fort Chipewyan had increased levels of arsenic, mercury
and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and was not safe for
consumption, particularly in the fish eaten by local residents.
The study further supports the Mikisew Cree’s recent call for a moratorium
on tar sands development.
But as stated by Councillor Russell Kaskamin of the Mikisew Cree First
Nation, “The Federal and Provincial governments are continuing to issue
approvals for projects despite all of the uncertainties with the true
environmental effects of oilsands development. This analysis suggests that
we can no longer continue to exercise our rights to harvest foods due to the
uncertainty of potential health risks.”
It is time to demand justice for the Mikisew Cree and the residents of Fort
Chipewyan.
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Take Action Now!
Write to your MP, to John Baird the Environment Minister, and to Stephan Harper.
Tell your friends what you think of the expansion of the tar sands.
Cut your consumption of fossil fuels!
I am a reporter in Billings, Montana, working on a story about tar sands. This site mentions a study of the water in Fort Chipewyan. Can you be more specific and tell me where I can find this study? Thanks. My e-mail is: ekemmick@billingsgazette.com
Just an FYI to other readers out there, the study mentioned was raised in a Globe and Mail article a few years back:
May 22, 2006
Globe and Mail
Why is Cancer Sweeping Tiny Fort Chipewyan?
by Patrick Brethour
The article is reproduced on a few websites, specifically at:
http://oilsandstruth.org/why-cancer-sweeping-tiny-fort-chipewyan
The medical reports from the local doctor, and an independent doctor following up on the initial research have generated considerable fallout on the web – there has been reporting by CBC and many independent Oil Sands watchdog and cancer sites.
This is a prime example of an “environmental justice issue” – the basic idea behind this concept is that people of ethnic minorities, low-income neighbourhoods, or other socially-disadvantaged groups are more likely to have environmental dis-amenities (such as sewage processing plants, power stations, chemical plants, disposal sites, etc.) in their backyards, and less likely to have environmental amenities (parks, clean waterways, nature reserves, etc.).
head over to canadianpacific.wordpress.com, click on the videos page and watch Majora Carter’s video about environmental justice in New York City for more info.
Great report, and super accompanying pics. I have taken the liberty of uploading your Tar Sands pics onto our campaign website at http://www.treeshaverightstoo.com/faq and have credited your site and linked to it – I hope you do not mind!
Good luck with the fight – and do come join us in our call to the United Nations to implement a Universal declaration of Planetary Rights to prevent this kind of environmental destruction.
From all of us at Trees Have Rights Too