Climate: LNG in B.C. vs Alberta tarsands
- Thread starter Foxsea
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GLG
Well-Known Member
So do tell ..... what are the right graphs?
Yours from Watts "tonys house of pizza and climate change.con"
Perhaps the Calgary based "friends of solvents.con"
Or another from "steves gonads.con" that you seem to like looking at.
Why is it you never link to where your graphs come from?
You do know that quoting your source is the first rule in science?
Me I prefer graphs from NOAA, NASA. NSF and the NSIDC (National Snow and Ice Data Center)
You know the folks that have the ability to get the data and show us what it is.
Tell us there OBD when was the last time your team put a satellite in space?
Yet the best you can do is "no global warming for 18 years 3 months"
And the worst part is you believe in this nonsense....
Try science after all it's what has gotten you to this place on the internet.
Without it you would still be riding a horse and living in a cave.
https://nsidc.org/monthlyhighlights/2014/12/antarcticas-crystal-ball/
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GLG
Well-Known Member
Do tell where your latest misinformation is coming from....
Why is that you stopped linking to your sources?
Got something to hide?
GLG
Well-Known Member
For others that are interested in what is going on with the Arctic sea ice and the reason why OBD needs to some how discredit it, here is a video from a few years back.
Uploaded on Nov 21, 2010
In early summer 2010, the pseudo science blog Watts up with that informed its discriminating readers that this summer would decisively show that northern polar ice had ended a long term decline.
They guaranteed it.
[-wbzK4v7GsM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wbzK4v7GsM
Uploaded on Nov 21, 2010
In early summer 2010, the pseudo science blog Watts up with that informed its discriminating readers that this summer would decisively show that northern polar ice had ended a long term decline.
They guaranteed it.
[-wbzK4v7GsM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wbzK4v7GsM
<iframe width="275" height="155" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/eOLOI7832KE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Christy Clark: Stop promoting LNG and fracking to BC kids.
http://www.propellerstrategy.org/
Christy Clark: Stop promoting LNG and fracking to BC kids.
http://www.propellerstrategy.org/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150114140517.htm
Correcting estimates of sea level rise
Date: January 14, 2015
Source: Harvard University
Summary: The acceleration in global sea level from the 20th century to the last two decades has been significantly larger than scientists previously thought, according to a new study. Previous estimates of global sea-level rise from 1900-1990 had been over-estimated by as much as 30 percent, researchers suggest.
Correcting estimates of sea level rise
Date: January 14, 2015
Source: Harvard University
Summary: The acceleration in global sea level from the 20th century to the last two decades has been significantly larger than scientists previously thought, according to a new study. Previous estimates of global sea-level rise from 1900-1990 had been over-estimated by as much as 30 percent, researchers suggest.
http://thetyee.ca/News/2015/01/15/G...ce=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=150115
Tanking Asia Gas Prices Makes BC LNG 'Not Viable,' Expert Says
Natural gas already sold at 'bargain basement prices,' says former Alberta royalty advisor.
Tanking Asia Gas Prices Makes BC LNG 'Not Viable,' Expert Says
Natural gas already sold at 'bargain basement prices,' says former Alberta royalty advisor.
First Nations file challenge over Northern Gateway pipeline
http://www.timescolonist.com/busine...teway-pipeline-1.1729333#sthash.eNoqbNkd.dpuf
http://www.timescolonist.com/busine...teway-pipeline-1.1729333#sthash.eNoqbNkd.dpuf
https://mmancusa.webex.com/mw0307l/...122&Host=4a922b502f211b23373e&RG=1&FrameSet=2
Are you interested in stream temperatures in the Pacific Northwest and how climate will affect aquatic resources?
Please join us Wednesday, January 28th, from 10-11am (Pacific) for an NPLCC Science-Management Webinar "Stream temperature database & high-resolution NorWeST climate scenarios" with presenter Dan Isaak of the U.S. Forest Service.
Dr. Dan Isaak
Dr. Isaak is a Research Fish Biologist with the U.S. Forest Service. He focuses on understanding effects of climate change on stream habitats and fish communities, development and implementation of basin scale and regional monitoring programs for bull trout and other aquatic organisms. He received an MS in Fisheries Resources from University of Idaho, and a Ph.D in Zoology and Physiology from University of Wyoming. Dr. Isaak also runs a Climate Aquatics Blog.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj--8Oy0kDMUy82V2QTNYNg
Are you interested in stream temperatures in the Pacific Northwest and how climate will affect aquatic resources?
Please join us Wednesday, January 28th, from 10-11am (Pacific) for an NPLCC Science-Management Webinar "Stream temperature database & high-resolution NorWeST climate scenarios" with presenter Dan Isaak of the U.S. Forest Service.
Dr. Dan Isaak
Dr. Isaak is a Research Fish Biologist with the U.S. Forest Service. He focuses on understanding effects of climate change on stream habitats and fish communities, development and implementation of basin scale and regional monitoring programs for bull trout and other aquatic organisms. He received an MS in Fisheries Resources from University of Idaho, and a Ph.D in Zoology and Physiology from University of Wyoming. Dr. Isaak also runs a Climate Aquatics Blog.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj--8Oy0kDMUy82V2QTNYNg
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http://www.vancouverobserver.com/ne...y-mans-attempt-toss-out-kinder-morgan-lawsuit
Burnaby man loses bid to have Kinder Morgan SLAPP suit dismissed
"What it shows is that people can be intimidated and deterred from actively being involved in protests," said Kinder Morgan lawsuit defendant Alan Dutton.
Mychaylo Prystupa Jan 14th, 2015
Kinder Morgan crews were met by heated exchanges with protesters on Oct. 29 on Burnaby Mountain deep inside the conservation forest at borehole two. Photo by Mychaylo Prystupa.
In a heartbreaking decision for a Burnaby retiree, a B.C. Supreme Court refused to throw out a Kinder Morgan lawsuit against Alan Dutton, on the basis it was a so-called SLAPP suit, designed merely to stifle pipeline opponents.
Justice Randall S.K. Wong said he was not convinced that a trial over the issue would have no chance of success, and so Dutton's request to summarily dismiss the case was denied.
Dutton was also seeking to have his legal bills covered. Now it's possible, he may have to pay Kinder Morgan's bills instead. A decision on that is pending.
"I'm very disappointed," Dutton said Wednesday afternoon, after the ruling.
"What it shows is that people can be intimidated and deterred from actively being involved in protests."
Alan Dutton was among five people sued by Kinder Morgan in late October, and described as “conspirators” by the company for allegedly organizing protesters to disrupt and intimidate the pipeline company’s drill crews.
The defendants believed they were facing millions of dollars in damages, as the company initially claimed.
Two of the five defendants – SFU professors Lynne Quarmby and Stephen Collis --- have settled “discontinuance” agreements to effectively end the lawsuits for now, without cost.
But this week, Dutton argued that Kinder Morgan was abusing the court process by hitting him with the lawsuit in the first place. He described the company's legal attack as a classic SLAPP suit (strategic lawsuit against public participation).
Alan Dutton BROKE Kinder Morgan defendant SLAPP lawsuit - Mychaylo Prystupa
Kinder Morgan lawsuit defendant Alan Dutton outside BC Supreme Court in Vancouver on Tuesday. Photo by Mychaylo Prystupa.
He also said there was not a "shred of evidence" that he was a ring leader, or actively counselled any of the more "radical" protesters who yelled bull horns in the faces of pipeline crews and obstructed the energy giant's survey work.
Dutton's "only crime" said his lawyer, was that he managed the website for the citizens' group BROKE, where he encouraged people to attend to Burnaby Mountain to express their opposition to the pipeline, but not to break the law.
Dutton's hope was, he could apply to have the court issue a summary decision to have the lawsuit thrown out as having no hope of success in trial.
But Justice Wong disagreed, saying for this type of summary ruling, it was not his job to evaluate the evidence in detail. He said he was persuaded that there was enough information to suggest a "civil conspiracy" had taken place, and a trial would determine the truth.
The justice also acknowledged the company's argument, that following the successful (and controversial) injunction that allowed Kinder Morgan's drillers to begin work, protesters were still allowed to protest -- a suggestion that their freedom of expression was not curtailed.
Bullying citizen protesters?
Dutton was clearly disappointed with the ruling. He believes the decision lets large corporations silence its critics with lawsuits.
"I think it shows that the rules are a real problem for our democratic rights," said Dutton. "In my view, Kinder Morgan has acted as a bully."
One of the key events described in court this week, was an October 29th clash between company crews and some 30-40 protesters. Kinder Morgan said Dutton "participated" in that activity, while Dutton denies this.
The Vancouver Observer was there, and took photos, and Dutton did not appear in any of them. Kinder Morgan itself shot lots of photos of that same event, but did not produce any photos of Dutton at that location in court. Its lawyer said he was not sure if any existed, when asked in the court’s hallway.
Dutton said he did not attend to the forest scene until an hour after the crews had left, and could not possibly have interfered with the crews.
But Kinder Morgan responded, saying:
“He participated in that demonstration. He was the managing editor of that website, and told people to go. And that is the demonstration that blocked the work" and caused the public nuisance and intimidation, said William Kaplan, for the company.
Justice Wong himself suggested that Dutton may have only been a “satellite participant” to the main conspiracy scheme, to stop the work activity.
Two other defendants -- Adam Gold and Mia Nissen -- did not accept Kinder Morgan's offer to "discontinue" the lawsuits against them. Their lawyer said they want a deal that permanently ends the claim made against them.
Dutton said his fight was not over yet.
"I'm hoping there will be grounds for appeal," he said. "I will continue to fight. I'm not accepting the decision on this...and we'll certainly be arguing for anti-SLAPP legislation in British Columbia."
"There's a weakness in the rules of the court. It was obvious today. It's shown that people who are obviously innocent, have no involvement in violence whatsoever...despite that fact, they can still be held responsible for the damages they caused. In my case, that's 5.6 million dollars."
Following the public uproar over the lawsuit in November, Kinder Morgan Canada's president Ian Anderson told the media that the company did not have any intention of claiming millions of dollars in damages from the five defendants "if the work was allowed to proceed."
The eventual injunction that allowed the drillers to proceed triggered hundreds of people to attend to the mountain daily. During those ten tumultuous days, more than 100 people were arrested for crossing the police line protecting the drillers. All of the charges were later thrown out over a technicality. The police-protected injunction zone did not match the GPS coordinates of the court order.
The National Energy Board will begin a public hearing into the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project in September.
Burnaby man loses bid to have Kinder Morgan SLAPP suit dismissed
"What it shows is that people can be intimidated and deterred from actively being involved in protests," said Kinder Morgan lawsuit defendant Alan Dutton.
Mychaylo Prystupa Jan 14th, 2015
Kinder Morgan crews were met by heated exchanges with protesters on Oct. 29 on Burnaby Mountain deep inside the conservation forest at borehole two. Photo by Mychaylo Prystupa.
In a heartbreaking decision for a Burnaby retiree, a B.C. Supreme Court refused to throw out a Kinder Morgan lawsuit against Alan Dutton, on the basis it was a so-called SLAPP suit, designed merely to stifle pipeline opponents.
Justice Randall S.K. Wong said he was not convinced that a trial over the issue would have no chance of success, and so Dutton's request to summarily dismiss the case was denied.
Dutton was also seeking to have his legal bills covered. Now it's possible, he may have to pay Kinder Morgan's bills instead. A decision on that is pending.
"I'm very disappointed," Dutton said Wednesday afternoon, after the ruling.
"What it shows is that people can be intimidated and deterred from actively being involved in protests."
Alan Dutton was among five people sued by Kinder Morgan in late October, and described as “conspirators” by the company for allegedly organizing protesters to disrupt and intimidate the pipeline company’s drill crews.
The defendants believed they were facing millions of dollars in damages, as the company initially claimed.
Two of the five defendants – SFU professors Lynne Quarmby and Stephen Collis --- have settled “discontinuance” agreements to effectively end the lawsuits for now, without cost.
But this week, Dutton argued that Kinder Morgan was abusing the court process by hitting him with the lawsuit in the first place. He described the company's legal attack as a classic SLAPP suit (strategic lawsuit against public participation).
Alan Dutton BROKE Kinder Morgan defendant SLAPP lawsuit - Mychaylo Prystupa
Kinder Morgan lawsuit defendant Alan Dutton outside BC Supreme Court in Vancouver on Tuesday. Photo by Mychaylo Prystupa.
He also said there was not a "shred of evidence" that he was a ring leader, or actively counselled any of the more "radical" protesters who yelled bull horns in the faces of pipeline crews and obstructed the energy giant's survey work.
Dutton's "only crime" said his lawyer, was that he managed the website for the citizens' group BROKE, where he encouraged people to attend to Burnaby Mountain to express their opposition to the pipeline, but not to break the law.
Dutton's hope was, he could apply to have the court issue a summary decision to have the lawsuit thrown out as having no hope of success in trial.
But Justice Wong disagreed, saying for this type of summary ruling, it was not his job to evaluate the evidence in detail. He said he was persuaded that there was enough information to suggest a "civil conspiracy" had taken place, and a trial would determine the truth.
The justice also acknowledged the company's argument, that following the successful (and controversial) injunction that allowed Kinder Morgan's drillers to begin work, protesters were still allowed to protest -- a suggestion that their freedom of expression was not curtailed.
Bullying citizen protesters?
Dutton was clearly disappointed with the ruling. He believes the decision lets large corporations silence its critics with lawsuits.
"I think it shows that the rules are a real problem for our democratic rights," said Dutton. "In my view, Kinder Morgan has acted as a bully."
One of the key events described in court this week, was an October 29th clash between company crews and some 30-40 protesters. Kinder Morgan said Dutton "participated" in that activity, while Dutton denies this.
The Vancouver Observer was there, and took photos, and Dutton did not appear in any of them. Kinder Morgan itself shot lots of photos of that same event, but did not produce any photos of Dutton at that location in court. Its lawyer said he was not sure if any existed, when asked in the court’s hallway.
Dutton said he did not attend to the forest scene until an hour after the crews had left, and could not possibly have interfered with the crews.
But Kinder Morgan responded, saying:
“He participated in that demonstration. He was the managing editor of that website, and told people to go. And that is the demonstration that blocked the work" and caused the public nuisance and intimidation, said William Kaplan, for the company.
Justice Wong himself suggested that Dutton may have only been a “satellite participant” to the main conspiracy scheme, to stop the work activity.
Two other defendants -- Adam Gold and Mia Nissen -- did not accept Kinder Morgan's offer to "discontinue" the lawsuits against them. Their lawyer said they want a deal that permanently ends the claim made against them.
Dutton said his fight was not over yet.
"I'm hoping there will be grounds for appeal," he said. "I will continue to fight. I'm not accepting the decision on this...and we'll certainly be arguing for anti-SLAPP legislation in British Columbia."
"There's a weakness in the rules of the court. It was obvious today. It's shown that people who are obviously innocent, have no involvement in violence whatsoever...despite that fact, they can still be held responsible for the damages they caused. In my case, that's 5.6 million dollars."
Following the public uproar over the lawsuit in November, Kinder Morgan Canada's president Ian Anderson told the media that the company did not have any intention of claiming millions of dollars in damages from the five defendants "if the work was allowed to proceed."
The eventual injunction that allowed the drillers to proceed triggered hundreds of people to attend to the mountain daily. During those ten tumultuous days, more than 100 people were arrested for crossing the police line protecting the drillers. All of the charges were later thrown out over a technicality. The police-protected injunction zone did not match the GPS coordinates of the court order.
The National Energy Board will begin a public hearing into the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project in September.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-recession-the-mindset-is-already-setting-in-1.2900940
Alberta recession? The mindset is already setting in
Alberta recession? The mindset is already setting in
http://www.onearth.org/earthwire/ja...e=fb&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=socialmedia
THE JARGONAUT
COAL ASH, FLY ASH, BOTTOM ASH, AND BOILER SLAG
A top-to-bottom tour of fossil fuel sludge.
THE JARGONAUT
COAL ASH, FLY ASH, BOTTOM ASH, AND BOILER SLAG
A top-to-bottom tour of fossil fuel sludge.
http://www.vancouverobserver.com/ne...oil-sands-tailings-pond-probe-slammed-critics
Canada's campaign to block NAFTA's oil sands tailings pond probe slammed by critics
Canada and international environmental regulators collide over alleged oil sands tailings pond seepage into Athabasca River.
Jenny Uechi Jan 12th, 2015
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
Tailings pond and oil sands mine site photo by Andrew S. Wright
Photo of oil sands mine site by Andrew S. Wright
Reactions to the federal government's attempts to stop NAFTA's environmental oversight commission from investigating environmental damage caused by tailings ponds in Alberta's oil sands came fast and fierce from critics.
“There’s compelling evidence that [industry contamination] is happening," said Dale Marshall of Environmental Defence, "and that the federal government is denying it, and not allowing that information to be known to Canadians and the people who live in that area."
"It's disheartening. The Canadian government is more interested in protecting oil sands companies," added Marshall.
Canada has already stopped NAFTA twice from investigating its environmental record in the past year. The trade organization’s environmental oversight commission seeks to review public complaints that Canada is ignoring its fishery laws by not acting strongly enough to protect the Athabasca River from industry pollution.
Environmental Defence is one of the complainants to the NAFTA review process, and says the Harper government is "blocking" science from getting out about the oil industry's harm to the watershed.
Toxic tailings seepage into the Athabasca River?
Suncor is one of Canada's largest oil sands producers. Vancouver Observer publisher, Linda Solomon Wood, asked its executive vice-president Mark Little last May if the company's tailings ponds were leaking into the Athabasca River.
"Oh, no," said Little, in a media briefing following Archbishop Desmond Tutu's tour of the oil sands.
Video: Linda Solomon gets conflicting answers from Suncor executive, Mark Little, and scientist Dr. David Schindler about what causes tailings ponds seepage into Athabsaca River
"One reason I know industry is responsible for some of [the river pollution] is there's a 1982 well documented spill for Suncor. They watched as it made its way down the Athabasca to Athabasca Lake and caused the fisheries to be closed for two years."
Afterwards, highly deformed fish started appearing in the watershed, never seen before by locals or scientists, said Schindler.
Schindler told The Vancouver Observer on Monday it was 'foolish' of industry to claim the oil industry's activities have nothing to do with the Athabasca River's oil pollution.
"Some of it is naturally occurring, but that has been enhanced from both runoff and airborne emissions, as our studies (in 2009 and 2010), Environment Canada's studies and others show," he said. "An industry that size that doesn't pollute is about as believable as the tooth fairy."
Schindler said the Canadian government's actions "are making a mockery of the environmental conditions of NAFTA" and that tailings ponds are polluting the water and damaging air quality as well.
"While the leakage is well known, it is not yet well known that there are significant airborne emissions from the tailings ponds," he said.
The Canadian government is likely opposed to the NAFTA's investigation because it is "worried about more bad press," Schindler said.
Suncor was asked for comment this morning, but did not respond prior to publication.
The tailings ponds, which store a chemical-laden mix of water, residual oil, and clay after oil sands processing, cover over 176 square kilometres of Alberta – an area 1.5 times the size of Vancouver – and have been contaminating groundwater for years.
The oil sands are of intense interest to the American government, as President Obama vowed last week to veto the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, which would effectively expand oil sands production.
Recent federal studies have backed suspicions that toxic chemicals from Alberta’s tailings ponds are seeping into the Athabasca River. First Nations communities living downstream of the Athabasca have abnormally elevated rates of certain types of rare cancers, including bile duct and cervical cancers, which are believed to be linked to pollution from the oil sands.
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) has already acknowledged that the tailings ponds seepage can occur, and previous studies have estimated that over 6.5-million litres a day can leak from a single pond.
In December, the United States, Mexico and Canada voted to kill a submission for investigation to NAFTA, after Environment Canada wrote the commission saying "the (investigators) have acted contrary to their authority" and that their submission should be "terminated". NAFTA commission's legal officer, Hugh Benevides told CBC that Canada's stance on the tailings pond investigation was unusually firm.
Keystone XL approval at stake: Environmental Defence
NAFTA's Commission on Environmental Co-operation was in set up in 1994 to resolve environmental disputes between Canada,the United States and Mexico. While the committee can recommend an in-depth investigation, it cannot compel the countries to take any action.
Marshall, of Environmental Defence, believes Canada is trying to prevent the study in order to get the proposed Keystone XL pipeline approved in the U.S.
"It's clear that President Obama is looking at Canada's record when he is thinking about approving or not approving certain pipelines going through the U.S.," Marshall told the CBC. "If this is one more stain on Canada's record then that plays into his decision potentially."
"Canadians should ask why the Harper government happily spends millions of their tax dollars on U.S. advertising that claims 'world class' environmental standards in the tar sands, yet are blocking independent scrutiny of what is happening on the ground and in the water," Greenpeace climate campaigner Keith Stewart said.
"The sad truth is that trade deals come with legally-binding protections for the profits of the corporations that pollute the water and unenforceable side-deals for those who have to drink it."
The three countries are expected to vote on the tailings ponds issue as early as this week.
A comment from Environment Canada is pending.
With files from Mychaylo Prystupa
Canada's campaign to block NAFTA's oil sands tailings pond probe slammed by critics
Canada and international environmental regulators collide over alleged oil sands tailings pond seepage into Athabasca River.
Jenny Uechi Jan 12th, 2015
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
Tailings pond and oil sands mine site photo by Andrew S. Wright
Photo of oil sands mine site by Andrew S. Wright
Reactions to the federal government's attempts to stop NAFTA's environmental oversight commission from investigating environmental damage caused by tailings ponds in Alberta's oil sands came fast and fierce from critics.
“There’s compelling evidence that [industry contamination] is happening," said Dale Marshall of Environmental Defence, "and that the federal government is denying it, and not allowing that information to be known to Canadians and the people who live in that area."
"It's disheartening. The Canadian government is more interested in protecting oil sands companies," added Marshall.
Canada has already stopped NAFTA twice from investigating its environmental record in the past year. The trade organization’s environmental oversight commission seeks to review public complaints that Canada is ignoring its fishery laws by not acting strongly enough to protect the Athabasca River from industry pollution.
Environmental Defence is one of the complainants to the NAFTA review process, and says the Harper government is "blocking" science from getting out about the oil industry's harm to the watershed.
Toxic tailings seepage into the Athabasca River?
Suncor is one of Canada's largest oil sands producers. Vancouver Observer publisher, Linda Solomon Wood, asked its executive vice-president Mark Little last May if the company's tailings ponds were leaking into the Athabasca River.
"Oh, no," said Little, in a media briefing following Archbishop Desmond Tutu's tour of the oil sands.
Video: Linda Solomon gets conflicting answers from Suncor executive, Mark Little, and scientist Dr. David Schindler about what causes tailings ponds seepage into Athabsaca River
"One reason I know industry is responsible for some of [the river pollution] is there's a 1982 well documented spill for Suncor. They watched as it made its way down the Athabasca to Athabasca Lake and caused the fisheries to be closed for two years."
Afterwards, highly deformed fish started appearing in the watershed, never seen before by locals or scientists, said Schindler.
Schindler told The Vancouver Observer on Monday it was 'foolish' of industry to claim the oil industry's activities have nothing to do with the Athabasca River's oil pollution.
"Some of it is naturally occurring, but that has been enhanced from both runoff and airborne emissions, as our studies (in 2009 and 2010), Environment Canada's studies and others show," he said. "An industry that size that doesn't pollute is about as believable as the tooth fairy."
Schindler said the Canadian government's actions "are making a mockery of the environmental conditions of NAFTA" and that tailings ponds are polluting the water and damaging air quality as well.
"While the leakage is well known, it is not yet well known that there are significant airborne emissions from the tailings ponds," he said.
The Canadian government is likely opposed to the NAFTA's investigation because it is "worried about more bad press," Schindler said.
Suncor was asked for comment this morning, but did not respond prior to publication.
The tailings ponds, which store a chemical-laden mix of water, residual oil, and clay after oil sands processing, cover over 176 square kilometres of Alberta – an area 1.5 times the size of Vancouver – and have been contaminating groundwater for years.
The oil sands are of intense interest to the American government, as President Obama vowed last week to veto the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, which would effectively expand oil sands production.
Recent federal studies have backed suspicions that toxic chemicals from Alberta’s tailings ponds are seeping into the Athabasca River. First Nations communities living downstream of the Athabasca have abnormally elevated rates of certain types of rare cancers, including bile duct and cervical cancers, which are believed to be linked to pollution from the oil sands.
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) has already acknowledged that the tailings ponds seepage can occur, and previous studies have estimated that over 6.5-million litres a day can leak from a single pond.
In December, the United States, Mexico and Canada voted to kill a submission for investigation to NAFTA, after Environment Canada wrote the commission saying "the (investigators) have acted contrary to their authority" and that their submission should be "terminated". NAFTA commission's legal officer, Hugh Benevides told CBC that Canada's stance on the tailings pond investigation was unusually firm.
Keystone XL approval at stake: Environmental Defence
NAFTA's Commission on Environmental Co-operation was in set up in 1994 to resolve environmental disputes between Canada,the United States and Mexico. While the committee can recommend an in-depth investigation, it cannot compel the countries to take any action.
Marshall, of Environmental Defence, believes Canada is trying to prevent the study in order to get the proposed Keystone XL pipeline approved in the U.S.
"It's clear that President Obama is looking at Canada's record when he is thinking about approving or not approving certain pipelines going through the U.S.," Marshall told the CBC. "If this is one more stain on Canada's record then that plays into his decision potentially."
"Canadians should ask why the Harper government happily spends millions of their tax dollars on U.S. advertising that claims 'world class' environmental standards in the tar sands, yet are blocking independent scrutiny of what is happening on the ground and in the water," Greenpeace climate campaigner Keith Stewart said.
"The sad truth is that trade deals come with legally-binding protections for the profits of the corporations that pollute the water and unenforceable side-deals for those who have to drink it."
The three countries are expected to vote on the tailings ponds issue as early as this week.
A comment from Environment Canada is pending.
With files from Mychaylo Prystupa
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150114101631.htm
New contaminants found in oil, gas wastewater
Date: January 14, 2015
Source: Duke University
Summary: High levels of two potentially hazardous contaminants, ammonium and iodide, have been documented in wastewater being discharged into streams and rivers from oil and gas operations in Pennsylvania. Levels of contamination were just as high in wastewater coming from conventional oil and gas wells as from hydraulically fractured shale gas wells.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es504654n
New contaminants found in oil, gas wastewater
Date: January 14, 2015
Source: Duke University
Summary: High levels of two potentially hazardous contaminants, ammonium and iodide, have been documented in wastewater being discharged into streams and rivers from oil and gas operations in Pennsylvania. Levels of contamination were just as high in wastewater coming from conventional oil and gas wells as from hydraulically fractured shale gas wells.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es504654n
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150115142223.htm
New planetary dashboard shows 'great acceleration' in human activity since 1950
Date: January 15, 2015
Source: International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme
Summary: Human activity, predominantly the global economic system, is now the prime driver of change in the Earth System (the sum of our planet's interacting physical, chemical, biological and human processes), according to a set of 24 global indicators, or 'planetary dashboard.'
New planetary dashboard shows 'great acceleration' in human activity since 1950
Date: January 15, 2015
Source: International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme
Summary: Human activity, predominantly the global economic system, is now the prime driver of change in the Earth System (the sum of our planet's interacting physical, chemical, biological and human processes), according to a set of 24 global indicators, or 'planetary dashboard.'
OldBlackDog
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OldBlackDog
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