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Dear Larry,
New Ecojustice research confirms that upgrading oil extracted from
Alberta’s oilsands is indeed a nasty bit of business that puts waterways, fish and people at risk.
The burning and combustion required to transform raw bitumen into
synthetic crude oil comes at a heavy cost: the release of airborne pollutants — some of which have been found to cause cancer in humans and impact the development and survival of fish.
Our research shows that these toxic substances are making their way into
the Athabasca River, contaminating a waterway that holds ecological, cultural and commercial significance for the people who live along its shores. The river is also a vital life source for many wildlife species; it is home to more than half of the province’s fish species.
But that’s just part of the story. Because even though the oilsands are one
of the biggest industrial projects on the planet, the federal government doesn’t monitor and report oilsands pollution in an accessible, transparent way. That means we have no way of knowing the cumulative effects oilsands production has on human health and the environment.
That needs to end now. We need answers.
Tell the federal government that your health is a priority and that polluters
must be held accountable for what they put into the air, water and land you depend on.
Tell the federal government to investigate and disclose the full impacts of oilsands pollution today.
Thanks for taking action and making a difference!
Elaine MacDonald
Senior staff scientist | Ecojustice  |
