Atmosphere & Energy
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
Canada Tar Sands Industry Ignoring Toxic River Pollution
Canada's rapidly expanding tar sands industry is causing the toxic pollution of its rivers, but the government of Alberta continues to deny there is a problem.... Read more »
Letter from Sierra Club Canada to Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission re: Bruce hearing
August 31, 2010
Dear Mr. Binder,
I have reviewed Mr. LeBlanc’s response to my letter to you. He suggests I misunderstood the role of the CNSC staff in providing advice to the tribunal for consideration and that “the Commission tribunal is a quasi-judicial administrative body with independent members who make fair and transparent decisions based on all evidence presented to them.”
“All evidence presented to them” is the key to a fair and transparent process. We have asked for an opportunity to ensure
all evidence is presented to the tribunal, but the timing and rules preclude that from happening. Unless these two issues are addressed, the tribunal will have only the evidence of Bruce Power and CNSC staff before it when it makes a decision. All Sierra Club Canada asks for is a fair hearing. Under the present circumstances we are not confident the public will receive one.... Read more »
