ACTION ALERT: Like oil and water, the tar sands and climate change action don't mix

As reported in today’s Toronto Star, “The Canadian government is embarking on an aggressive sales campaign with the White House candidates to counter the ‘dirty oil’ label that U.S. environmentalists and some politicians are tagging on Canadian exports.” 

Tony Clement, chair of the Conservatives’ cabinet Committee on Environment and Energy Security, joined by corporate oil industry representatives, is meeting today with Jason Grumet, Barack Obama’s top energy adviser.  Other Conservative cabinet ministers are heading to next week’s Republican National Convention.  The message being sent on behalf of Canadians, but we couldn’t disagree more, is that addressing climate change and supporting the explosive development of Alberta and Saskatchewan’s tar sands are not mutually exclusive goals.  

In June, Mr. Grumet was quoted as saying “…Mr. Obama is committed to supporting energy sources that help slow climate change and he will reward industries that meet tough new greenhouse gas standards….Its a meritocracy.  We are going to support resources that diversity petroleum supplies, that bring more production to this hemisphere and that meet our long-term obligations to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.  And I think it’s an open question as to whether or not the Canadian resources are going to meet those tests.”

TAKE ACTION
 
Take a few minutes to sign and send the below letter to Mr. Grumet and Prime Minister Harper letting them know that:

• Alberta and Saskatchewan’s tar sands are one of the most environmentally destructive projects in the world
• True action on climate change goes beyond intensity targets that do not even assure that greenhouse-gas emissions are reduced
•  Uncontrolled development in the tar sands and real action on climate change are mutually exclusive

What we want is:

• No new approvals on tar sands developments until environmental and social concerns have been meaningfully addressed
• Leaders taking action to significantly reduce greenhouse-gas emissions without disproportionately burdening working people, and a plan for a long-term Just Transition to renewable energy  

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SEND YOUR LETTER NOW:

Subject
Recipient	jgrumet@bipartisanpolicy.org, Harper.S@parl.gc.ca, dplouffe@barackobama.com
Compose your letter in the box below.
Dear Mr. Grumet, If Mr. Obama is committed to supporting energy sources that help slow climate change, supporting the uncontrolled development of Alberta and Saskatchewan's "dirty oil" is not the answer to U.S. energy security needs. In our name, government officials joined by oil and gas industry representatives, are attempting to convince White House candidates that ongoing tar sands development can be part of achieving greater energy security while tackling climate change. Despite promises of change, the reality is that the production of tar sands: - Is more energy and carbon intensive than conventional oil extraction processes (the tar sands are Canada's fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions) - Destroys vast tracks of pristine boreal forest with a diverse ecosystem - Consumes 26 per cent of Alberta's groundwater, taking between three and five barrels of water to extract just one barrel of oil - Is putting human and eco-system health at risk As the Toronto Star reported today, despite social and environmental consequences, "...oil sands production is expected to nearly triple by 2020 to 3.5 million barrels – nearly all of which is slated for the U.S. market." Clearly, this is not compatible with a plan for tackling climate change in a meaningful way. Nor are intensity targets that don't even assure that greenhouse-gas emissions are reduced. What we need is: - no new approvals on tar sands developments until environmental and social concerns have been meaningfully addressed; - leaders taking action to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions without disproportionately burdening working people, and a plan for a long-term Just Transition to renewable energy. Sincerely,
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