Tar Sands

As oil prices have increased in recent years, energy companies like BP have started to look at alternative ways of producing energy. Extracting oil from the Tar Sands is one such method.

“The Tar sands are [however] the dirtiest and most damaging way to get oil out of the ground ever devised” (Greenpeace). Alberta’s tar sands are covered by forest which are cut down to reveal the top soil. This layer predominantly contains sand coupled with an amount of low grade heavy crude oil. The entirety of this layer is extracted to separate and refine the oil.

The process is hugely destructive for both the environment and for local people whose lives are affected by the loss of land and the pollution associated with the industry.

It is also expensive – it requires excessive amounts of energy to refine the oil resulting in an increase of emissions. Extraction of oil from the tar sands therefore causes a double blow to the environment – not only does it destroy vast areas of forest it also produces catastrophic levels of emissions across its lifecycle (far greater than traditionally sourced fossil fuels).

BP is currently looking at digging up a large part of Northern Alberta in a project that will commit them to devastating environmental damage until 2060.

It is imperative that we let BP know that their “Back to Petroleum” policies are unacceptable. Click on the Take Action button below.

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