Climate Change
Climate Change
Climate change has arrived. Through erratic weather patterns, forest fires and glacier melt we are already experiencing the effects of climate change. Worse, the process of climate change, based on the levels of greenhouse gases we have already put in the atmosphere, is likely to increase the severity and frequency of severe weather events.... Read more »
Oil Sands Independent Toxins Report
On August 31st, 2010, a study which was led by University of Alberta researchers was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which conclusively shows that numerous highly toxic pollutants are being released into the Athabasca River and its tributaries by the development of the oil sands.
The levels exceeded both federal and provincial government guidelines.
The report is available for download here.
Excerpted from the report:... Read more »
- Atmosphere & Energy
- Chinook Group
- Climate Change
- Forests
- Forests and Biodiversity
- Mackenzie Valley Pipeline and Alberta Tar Sands
- Prairie Chapter
- The Boreal Forest
- Toxic Sludge
- Toxics
- Toxics Awareness and Education
- Water
- Water Quality
- Wilderness and Species Conservation
- Energy Onslaught
- Health & Environment
- Protecting Biodiversity
Renner Dismisses Oilsands Toxins Report
EDMONTON — Alberta's environment minister disputed the conclusions of a controversial oilsands study Tuesday, saying it's likely that increased toxins in the Athabasca River are due to natural causes.
But Rob Renner admitted he hadn't read the paper and could point to no peer-reviewed data or studies to back up his assertion.
"My scientists are telling me that the amount of compounds that can be detected in the Athabasca River at this point in time are not a concern and are of insignificant levels," Renner said. "The fact remains that there are naturally occurring substances in the water. And if we had never set foot in the region those kinds of results would still be there."
Renner said the task ahead is to tease out what toxins in the river are from industrial development and what occur naturally from bitumen seeping into the river.... Read more »
- Atmosphere & Energy
- Chinook Group
- Climate Change
- Forests
- Forests and Biodiversity
- Mackenzie Valley Pipeline and Alberta Tar Sands
- Prairie Chapter
- The Boreal Forest
- Toxic Sludge
- Toxics
- Water
- Water Quality
- Wilderness and Species Conservation
- Energy Onslaught
- Health & Environment
- Protecting Biodiversity
New Study Links Tar Sands to Carcinogens
Submitted by admin on Tue, 2010-08-31 15:54
A new study led by University of Alberta ecologist Dr. David Schindler and published in the renowned Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences makes some alarming conclusions about the water near the tar sands. After monitoring 60 sites along the Athabasca River and its tributaries, Dr. Schindler concluded the tar sands have added carcinogenic toxins to the area environment.
The toxins are higher in concentration close to, and downstream from, the epicentre of tar sands refining near Fort McMurray. The study focuses on 13 toxic substances explicitly linked to tar sands development, which are toxic even at low concentrations. Included in the list are heavy metals such as mercury and lead. ... Read more »
