A February 2009 update on the Oil Sands...

For many of us who are concerned about the continued production of the oil sands, we may have even more to think about now. This excellent article courtesy of the National Geographic, discusses all of the contemporary issues surrounding oil sands development. From the tailing ponds, to severe ecosystem disruption to an overall exacerbation of environmental degradation, this article provides a comprehensive overview of what is happening as we speak. This is good time to start a discussion on the topic. The government of Alberta has proposed carbon capture storage as a viable technology to curb the greenhouse gas emissions that are emitted from extraction. Chris has blogged about carbon capture before and he has painted a good picture of its pros and cons. Some want production to continue unabated to keep the Albertan economy vibrant and competitive. But are we overlooking the social and environment costs associated with this? What is the future of oil sands development for Canada's economy or for Canada's environment? What do you think?