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Canada's Tar Sands
In 2005, Canada was second only to Saudi Arabia in crude oil reserves, but almost 97% of Canada's reserve is in tar sands. The Athabasca Oil Sands development in northern Alberta currently produces 1.98 million barrels per day and is forecasted to reach 3.7 million barrels per day by 2020". (http://www.energy.alberta.ca/oilsands/791.asp) But removing that oil from the tar sands requires a lot of energy. Currently the tar sands project burns natural gas to heat the steam that removes the oil. The tar sands project is the largest single producer of greenhouse gases in North America.
What are some of the harmful effects of the tar sands, and the greenhouse gases they produce?
What are some positives to Canadian tar sands? (check out the link below for some insightful statistics)
Should businesses and consumers be concerned about the effects?
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What are some of the harmful effects of the tar sands, and the greenhouse gases they produce?
ReplyDeleteAlthough the tar sands are a huge part of Canadas economy they also have their downsides. Some of the harmful effects of the tar sands are that in order to create the oil a lot of energy needs to be used. Another negative effect is that in Canada the tar sands have the second fastest rate of deforestation. The main negative effect of the tar sands is the greenhouse gasses they produce. They produce 8.5% of Canadas total greenhouse gas emissions which cause climate change. Climate change is a long term change in average weather conditions like temperature, precipitation and wind and it is already causing a decline in the polar bear population as they have to take longer swims just to find land. Some other effects climate change will have been that some cities will have to relocate due to rising sea levels and with the increase in wind there will also be an increase in wind farms which will create more energy for industries to put more carbon dioxide into our air.
What are some positives to Canadian tar sands?
Although the tar sands cause a lot of greenhouse gasses and use a lot of energy there are also some positives to it. A positive to the oil sands is that even though they use a lot of energy they are making even more energy with the oil providing Canada with a secure source of energy. Another positive is that the oil sands are providing an economic growth in Alberta because they generate huge profits and provide thousands of jobs. In 2014 the Alberta oil sands provided approximately 133, 053 jobs
Should businesses and consumers be concerned about the effects?
I do not believe that businesses and consumers should be concerned about the effects or the oil sands but they should defiantly be aware of the effects. Even though there are lots of downsides to the oil sands the main one which is the greenhouse gas emissions is only 8.5% of Canadas total greenhouse gas emissions. Im not saing that the oil sands greenhouse gas emissions are okay I’m just saying that for the amount of energy and jobs that come out of the oil sands I think it is fine.
Your point about businesses and consumers needing to be aware of the effects of the tar sands is something that I too think is important. However, if nothing is actually done about those harmful effects so that jobs can be protected and non-renewable resources can be produced, then shouldn't everyone be concerned because it’s us and future generations who will have to face the consequences?
Delete1.What are some of the harmful effects of the tar sands, and the greenhouse gases they produce?
ReplyDeleteThe tar sands may have their benefits but the downsides come at a steep price for the environment. Firstly, deforestation and the construction of mines alters the landscape immensely and destroys habitats. Also, the oil sands process requires massive volumes of water which drains the sources they got it from and the water becomes polluted. The production of oil sands requires a lot of energy however, non-renewable sources are what’s being used to satisfy the demand for that energy. This means that the oil sands are a huge contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. 8.5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada are due to the tar sands which are also the greatest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in all of North America. This is bad because greenhouse gases result in global warming which is already happening and people are trying to stop it by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
2.What are some positives to Canadian tar sands?
Along with all the downsides of the Canadian tar sands, there’s also a few positives which are what keep it going. First of all, because of this industry, there has been a great deal of economic development in Canada as it has created many jobs made a lot of money. Canada’s relationship with America has also been strengthened since Canada now supplies oil to the U.S. One more benefit of the Canadian tar sands is that since they are the second largest oil reserve in the world, Canada has access to a secure source of energy that although isn’t renewable, will still last for many years to come.
3.Should businesses and consumers be concerned about the effects?
Personally, I think that businesses and consumers should be concerned about the effects of the tar sands, however, I also realize how the effects can be overlooked by some people due to the positives including how much it contributes to the economy. The reason that I think businesses and consumers should be concerned is because of the greenhouse gas emissions this industry produces. Since greenhouse gases cause global warming, those people will be affected as will every single person on the planet. Therefore, these people should be trying to find alternative energy sources to prevent further global warming.
I think everyone is concerned about global warming and the enormous impact that it is having on our planet but to say that people need to find alternate energy sources is overly simplistic. Even renewable sources of energy such as wind, solar and geothermal have negative aspects such as disrupting wildlife and being unreliable due to their dependency on weather. Renewable resources also have difficulty generating large quantities of energy and have a huge start up cost. So, its easy to say we should do more but even the cleaner options have problems. Basically, convenience is the real culprit. In 2011, 86.9% of commuters in Peterborough went to work or school in a vehicle, while only 8.7% walked or rode a bicycle. People need to get where they have to be and they drive cars to do it. We're all guilt. I know I am, how about you?
DeleteWhat are some of the harmful effects of the tar sands, and the greenhouse gases they produce?
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of harmful effects that the tar sands and the greenhouse gasses produce, for example extraction of sands and oil pollute the soil and degrade the landscape. The process itself uses up a lot of energy. The oil which is then used for industry and cars (instead of renewable energy) will contribute a lot to CO2 emissions and as a consequence to the greenhouse effect. It also makes people believe things can go along the way it is, because its easier. Actually it will make things difficult for future generations to clean up the mess and to reverse or repair all the damages to the environment (animals, climate, health…)
What are some positives to Canadian tar sands? (check out the link below for some insightful statistics)
Canadian tar sands are a huge source of income especially for Alberta. They allow many people to have jobs in this oil business and also related businesses, (health care, transport, housing, constructing). It makes the US and Canada energy independent from countries which export oil such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, or Venezuela. Alberta’s tar sands secure North America with energy for at least the next 100 years.
Should businesses and consumers be concerned about the effects?
Solar Energy is the only real clean energy which humans produce. Every other source of energy should make us think twice because of pollution and degradations of the environment that comes with them (nuclear, oil drilling, hydraulic energy, etc.) therefor we should be very concerned. Electric cars are better than fuel run cars, but then electricity needs to be produced also which again is a non-friendly environmental factor. The team who built the plane solar impulse (a plane run only by solar energy and which flew around the whole world only using solar energy) showed the world that we can use clean technology to do great things: not only aviation but in all domains where a lot of energy is used. Solar energy is the future of energy supply.
I agree with your statement regarding the alteration of energy and switching to an eco-friendly source but you state that solar energy is the 'only' real clean energy source. I disagree with this being that hydro-electric and geothermal methods of producing electricity are also relevant. Solar energy may not be considered the most viable option as it requires ample amounts of solar panels which in turn call for a heavy price.
DeleteWhat are some of the harmful effects of the tar sands, and the greenhouse gases they produce?
ReplyDeleteDespite the large contribution to Canada’s economy, the oil production is also accompanied by several drawbacks. Among which, environmental effects could be the biggest. During the extracting and refining process, a lot of energy and water is demanded. According to statistics, the CO2 emission of oil production occupies approximately 8.5% of Canada’s total emissions in 2015, which accelerates climate change through certain aspects. Also, the amount of water used for separating oil and dirt is massive. Though the entire project recycles 80-95% of water, the rest 5-20% is still harmful to the environment while being gotten rid of. Nevertheless, deforestation inevitably occurs when companies start to construct their refinery plants, which takes up a considerable amount of land. That alters natural habitats and does harm to animals.
What are some positives to Canadian tar sands? (check out the link below for some insightful statistics)
Apart from the drawbacks it brings, tar sands also offer multiple opportunities for companies to thrive in this area. The predominating element could be economic benefits. As Canada has the third largest oil reserves in the world, Alberta’s oil sands store 166 million Barrels. The economic potential is huge. Alberta oil sands attract investments around the world. Between 1999 and 2013, about $201 billion was invested in the industry. Oil sands also improve employment. In 2014, more than 130,000 people were working Alberta’s upstream energy sector. The entire industry is beneficial for both individuals and businesses.
Should businesses and consumers be concerned about the effects?
I think businesses should be concerned. Businesses have more control of the industry as consumers’ needs never changes. Oil is a daily consumable for everyone as we use oil by different factors. As consumers’ attitudes no longer change a lot, it’s businesses’ job to figure out how to extract oil more efficiently. The environmental problems are obvious for businesses; some transformations are necessary. Paying more attention to the effects could make those companies more updated so that they can decide their best solutions.
What are some of the harmful effects of the tar sands, and the greenhouse gases the produce?
ReplyDeleteWe benefits from tar sands everyday, but at the same time we are also killing ourselves and the planet earth. Tar sands also referred to as oil sands are a combination of clay, sand, water, and bitumen, a heavy black viscous oil. Tar sands can be mined and processed to extract the oil-rich bitumen, which is then refined into oil, from our perspective there is nothing wrong about this source of energy but we are wrong, the tar sands mining procedure releases at least three times the CO2 and other greenhouse gases as regular oil production and is slated to become the single largest industrial contributor in North America to Climate Change, these greenhouse gases can cause death and diseases to human and animals in that region where oil is extracted from tar sands.
What are some positives to Canadian tar sands?
Canada has oil reserves of 170 billion barrels, more than Iran and Nigeria combined, all this have to thank to the tar sands in Canada, this many tar sands not only brings the world energy, it also brings people jobs and the country a stable income, by using these advantages Canada can improve the country's general healthy care, education, housing, constructing and many more, as well as this source of reliable energy will last a very long time, and during this time the countries that benefits from tar sand won't rely on the main oil export countries.
Should businesses and consumers be concerned about the effects?
Tar sand will eventually cause a huge problems to the world and the businesses that are needing this source of energy will need to think about the future for the next generations, in order to keep their business running they can choose to use renewable energy, for example solar and wind, these types of energy does not harm the environment and at the same time it will reduce the uses of fossil fuels. The businesses will not only keep on running it will also help to save the environment.
I agree with your statement as the oil sands will harm the planet and ourselves because of its harmful effects. In your opinion, are the jobs and profit produced from this industry worth those harmful effects?
DeleteI do agree with your overall statement that the Alberta oil sands are slowly destroying our environment and are a primary contributor to climate change but I don't believe you have looked over all of the different ways this project is hurting our world. Simply, changing methods to renewable energy will save us some energy and CO2 but in general won't make the turning point and begin "saving our environment". You should realize that this project is using millions of litres of water and contaminating a fundamental resource that humans have very little of. The contaminated water is then stored in tailings ponds which then leaks into groundwater and nearby rivers. There is a lot to fix before this project becomes healthy for our planet and beneficial to our economy and our environment.
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ReplyDeleteTar sands indeed have brought environmental impacts and the industry is a great contributor of global warming and deforestation. You believe there are only positives compared to the hundreds of negatives, so do you think simply stopping the industry would be the most direct method to this?
DeleteThere is no doubt that Canada is in a position of power with the largest selection of tar sands in the world, but this pro doesn’t come without many harmful effects such as carbon emissions, excessive water use, destruction of habitat and risky pipelines. Firstly, the process of removing the oil not only uses more energy than conventional drilling but it also produces 8.5% of Canada’s carbon emissions. Another issue is that enormous amounts of water are used to extract the oil from the sand. This huge amount of water becomes contaminated during the process and requires storage, which presents another issue; the possibility of it leaking from storage and contaminating the ecosystem. The threat to our habitat is another factor, specifically the Boreal forest, which is the largest, most intact forest left on Earth. It contains more carbon per hectare than any other forest and plays an important role in lessening climate change. The more forest disturbed for the removal of tar sands, the more stored carbon released into the environment. Lastly, pipelines are a necessity in shipping the oil but they pose a risk with the chance of accidental explosions. The Emerson explosion on June 9, 2015 is the most recent incident to cast a negative image on the Canadian pipelines.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it sounds like the tar sands have a lot of negativity attached to them, there are positive aspects as well. Not only does the oil sands create jobs in construction for Canadians but also for our American neighbours. Another plus is the incredible supple of oil that Canada has access to. Having the 2nd largest oil field in the world gives us access to the potential of more than 170 billion barrels of oil in our future. This makes us a very attract to the rest of the world, especially the Americans who already get 36% of their oil from us.
Businesses and consumers should be aware about the effects of the tar sands but it should not change their outlook. The truth is that we have an incredible industry that only Saudi Arabia shares with us and we need to capitalize on this product because it essential to our economy. It would be a major blow to Canada’s economy if we no longer produced oil and that is why Alberta has committed to investing $6.1 million over the next 5 years in greenhouse gas technology. Alberta sees the potential for growth and realizes that clean energy production and wise energy use need to be part of their plan for reducing the environmental footprint of oil sands development. Rick George of Suncor Energy has a plan to replant forests in order to balance our ecosystem and with this type of initiative we are putting our country in a better position for a successful future.
I agree with what you said about the Canadian economy suffering if the development of the oil sands were to stop as it has become such a large contributor to making Canada's economy strong. However, do you think that we should be focusing primarily on the environment rather that an industry that harms it, even though it helps our economy?
DeleteApart from the greenhouse gases, I think that the most harmful effect of the tar sands is the deforestation that it creates. Estimated to be second to only the Amazonian Rainforest Basin in rate of deforestation, the Athabasca Oil Sands Development threatens the world’s largest boreal forest. Deforestation is not only one of the largest causes of plant and animal extinction (Seventy percent of Earth’s land plants and animals live in forests), but climate change as well. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, and return water vapor back into the atmosphere, helping with the water cycle. With less of them, the looming concern of global warming will only increase. Greenhouse gases are the main cause of climate change, though. They help to destroy Earth’s atmosphere, which protects us from the harmful sun rays. The climate change that it causes will not only further contribute to the extinction, but make weather more unstable as well.
ReplyDeleteI think the only positive to the Canadian tar sands is that it boosts Canada’s economy, and that is an important positive point. According to the link, approximately 133,053 people were employed in 2014 to Alberta’s upstream energy sector. As it is forecasted to nearly double to 3.7 million oil barrels mined per day by 2020, so will the number of people employed there. Many jobs will be created for those who need them. On top of that, since Canada does not need most of its oil for consumption, it can be exported to other countries. This helps Canada’s economy because it brings money into it.
I think that both businesses and consumers should be certainly concerned about the effects of the oil sands. It affects Canadian businesses and consumers especially- we are, after all, the people who will be the most affected by the environment near the Athabasca oil sands, and the ones who will most enjoy the extra jobs and money. Other people might be concerned about whether they’re being environmentally friendly, by purchasing oil that comes from the oil sands in the country (or any country, for that matter) and contributing to the climate change. However, at this day and age, the world isn’t able to function without oil yet, so it’s not something that can be changed, and being concerned over it won’t change much.
I agree with your comments about the level of concern regarding business and consumers. As much as we all know that clean energy is better, realistically, it just isn't going to happen any time soon. With 133,000 jobs and billions of dollars at stake, Canada could not justify stopping the removal of oil from the tar sands. Long term, Alberta has committed to investing 6.1 million over the next 5 years to improve greenhouse gas technology and hopefully this puts us in a better position to reduce the environmental footprint of oil sand development.
DeleteWhat are some of the harmful effects of the tar sands, and the greenhouse gases they produce?
ReplyDeleteCanada has been using tar sands for a while now to boost their economy but tar sands also have large negative effects. During the process to create oil it requires a lot of energy and water itself. There is a great amount of C02 emissions in the process which contributes to climate change. The carbon dioxide release is just getting bigger and bigger. Even though the tar sands contribute to most of Canada's economy and brings in a lot of income the carbon dioxide levels are rising fast and they are damaging our ecosystem, and it is hard to keep up with the damage being caused.
What are some positives to Canadian tar sands? (check out the link below for some insightful statistics)
Despite all of the negatives, tar sands are bringing in a lot of positives and is a part of Canada’s economy whether we like it or not. There are a lot of jobs provided by the oil sands, and there is no degree required to receive a low position job which actually benefits the lower class of Canadians and create jobs for those without University or college degrees, they hired exactly 133,053 last year. The tar sands are bringing in ridiculous amounts of income every year and is now worth around 1.4 trillion dollars, which is running Canada,
Should businesses and consumers be concerned about the effects?
Consumer and businesses should be quite concerned about the ongoing effects of the oil sands. Due to the fact that businesses if they are thinking about tomorrow they are going to realise that oil doesn't last forever and the damage in some cases cannot be reversed. Canada as a whole should be thinking of our country's future and we should be slowly working our way to using alternate sources of energy that we can rely on. Hopefully, Canada can work our way to being energy efficient with renewable resources and not have our economy rely on one type of energy source.
Oil sands are bringing so much economic benefits while doing so much harm to the environment. It is hard to balance between the two. For the current state, do you think that Canada should cut the investments on oil sands to solve the problem faster rather than spending years on finding the balance?
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