Ethical Dilemma #2: The Canadian Tar Sands and the Keystone Pipeline
Canada's Tar Sands
In 2019, Alberta's Athabascan Tar Sands were the largest industrial project in the world. Just to put this in perspective, according to National Geographic, if Alberta (population of 4 million people) were a country, they would be within the top five oil-producing countries in the world. Although this is great for the economy as it provides jobs and allows Canada to reap the benefits of international trade, with such a focus on global climate change and environmental awareness, it seems contradictory to be one of the top producing oil countries. According to National Geographic, "even as Canada promotes action on climate change on the world stage, the Canadian and provincial governments are pushing to expand oil sands operations—which brings substantial economic benefits to the region—in the face of a chorus of opposition from environmentalists and indigenous people".
However, these economic advantages come at a cost. According to Harvard Law, with Alberta transporting upwards of 600,000 barrels of oil a day, and with the extension crossing approximately 50 rivers and streams, the risk of oil spills and, therefore, contamination to our water is that much higher. Also, the pipeline extension will cross through areas of endangered species, such as the whooping crane, and piping plovers. Lastly, the pipeline extension runs through indigenous land and, therefore, causing concern over the disregard of previous treaties. According to Deranger, a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, the tar sands and pipeline extension has "had a huge impact on caribou, bison, moose, birds, fish, the water, the forest. It’s affected our ability to travel, to gather food from the land—it’s really overwhelming,” (CBC)
So, what do you think?
What are some of the harmful effects of the tar sands, and the greenhouse gases they produce?
What are some positives to Canadian tar sands? (check out the link below for some insightful statistics)
Should businesses and consumers be concerned about the effects?
What is your verdict on the decision to build the Keystone XL Pipeline? Is it worth the economic impact?
What is your verdict on the decision to build the Keystone XL Pipeline? Is it worth the economic impact?
Useful Links:
Harvard Law
https://eelp.law.harvard.edu/2018/02/keystone-xl-pipeline/
National Geographic:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/04/alberta-canadas-tar-sands-is-growing-but-indigenous-people-fight-back/#close
CBC News:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/indigenous-groups-keystonexl-2017-approval-1.4042381
National Geographic:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/04/alberta-canadas-tar-sands-is-growing-but-indigenous-people-fight-back/#close
CBC News:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/indigenous-groups-keystonexl-2017-approval-1.4042381
I think that the Keystone pipeline is necessary for Canada's economy as well as the rest of the world. Alberta is the world's third largest proven oil reserve. According to IEA.org/reports only 2.6% of vehicles world wide were electric. So, oil is currently essential for transportation and we still require oil for other basic needs like goods manufacturing, heating, and asphalt for roads. The oil industry in Alberta also provides jobs to over 6% of Alberta's population (wikipedia) and already contributes over 108 billion dollars to Canada's GDP. The pipeline will also provide 2000 jobs for locals.
ReplyDeleteAlthough there are some negative effects of the pipeline on the environment, it is not the worst possible way to transport oil. I can't deny how awful it is that the pipeline will destroy the habitat of several endangered species, but it is the safest way to transport oil. According to the Fraser Institute, transporting oil by rail is 4.5 times more likely to result in a damaging accident like a spill or explosion than it is in pipeline transportation. They also state that 99% of pipeline accidents between 2003 and 2013 didn't damage the environment. Yet other types of transportation for example by boat, can kill over 114, 000 animals of various species. (biologicaldiversity.org)
The pipeline is a concern to many indigenous people, as it will go through their lands and they feel the government has broken their treaty promises by not consulting with them enough and including them in discussion before making decisions. Although there is a portion of the indigenous community that is happy about the jobs the pipeline will provide, there are still some of the indigenous population who are angered and hurt by this. Canada has tried to heal wounds with the indigenous, and the pipeline is not a step forward in that area. Personally though I feel like it will be positive for the country as a whole because there is still a high demand for oil. I do disagree with the way the government imposed the pipeline on lands that don't belong to them though, and understand and agree that the indigenous have a right to be angry, hurt and maybe a little back-stabbed by this. I hope that the government can cooperate fairly with the indigenous in the future.
Overall, I think this a very controversial topic, and there is a heavy argument for both sides. Yet until the world takes some more steps to alternative fuels, oil is a necessary part of our lives and economy and we are unable to function without it at this stage.
Yes, I agree with you, this is the kind of topic with a heavy argument on both sides. It is hard to choose one to side to stick with. Personally, I find that they both are a very equal argument.
DeleteI agree with you, we need oil therefor it's hard to make a decision to put the pipeline in or not. Our world could certainly benefit from using less oil but it would be hard to get to that point because now we depend on it.
DeleteMaddy
I agree that it is a difficult issue and there are heavy arguments from both sides. It is either our lives or the economy.
DeleteI agree that oil is necessary and that we could look into alternative fuels.
DeleteI also agree that the oil is necessary and that we could look in to other different fuels
DeleteI think that the Keystone XL Pipeline benefits and harms our world. It is terrible that the pipeline will go through areas with endangered species by the pipeline being constructed in their habitats. This pipeline will disturb the habitats and lives of, whooping crane, piping plovers, swift fox, and american burying beetles (National Geographic). Greater sage-grouse also live in the way of the Keystone pipeline. They are not an official endangered species, but many bird experts believe it should be (National Geographic). The Keystone XL Pipeline also comes with many benefits, according to Global Energy Institute, during the construction and manufacturing of the pipeline 20,000 well-paying jobs will be produced. They also state that the pipeline will create $585 million in new taxes for communities among the pipeline route. I think that it is terrible that animals have a good chance of having to leave the homes or die due to the expansion of the Keystone XL Pipeline. Personally, I think that it is risky constructing the pipeline across approximately fifty rivers, leeks are quite possible and can hurt our earth and animals. But it is the best and safest option to use a pipeline, they create 61-77% less greenhouse gas emissions than the rail method of transporting oil. Pipelines are also safer than transporting by truck, boat, or rail. I can easily support both sides of this argument, both sides are very important to support.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with all your points here. It is really sad and unfortunate that all the endangered animal species will be hurt, but a pipeline is the safest least harmful way to transport oil. That is also an interesting fact about the greenhouse gas emissions.
DeleteSteven
DeleteI really agree with your point about the harm of Keystone pipeline that brought to the environment.
I agree with the damaging and scaring effects this would have on the ecosystem and the animals that live within it. It is very sad to see these animals forced out of their original habitat especially with no regard whether they are endangered or not. However I also agree that both side of the argument come with very intriguing points.
DeleteI agree with your point about the harm this project could have on the environment. That's an interesting stat about greenhouse gas.
DeleteI agree that the pipeline is really bad for the environment and all the wild life that was living around the pipeline.
DeleteOn behalf of Zoey:
DeleteI agree with your argument, this could harm many of animals species and there habitats.
Some of the major harmful effects of the tar sands is one of the most important, Alberta's climate change. North America's transition from the tar sands to oil not only perpetuates, but actually creates the emissions of the greenhouse gas pollution from the oil consumption. Tar sands generate 17% more carbon emissions than conventional oil.
ReplyDeleteSome of the good things about Canada's tar sands are that recipients of tar sands experience economic benefits, it creates lots of jobs for people, it is a secure source of energy and environmental changes can be repaired.
Businesses should not be concerned about the effects of the tar sands. Some businesses, if not all, in the communities that are affected by the tar sands, will benefit from the insurgence of people working in prosperous jobs and having “extra” money to spend in their communities. Hospitality industry would increase, retail would increase, housing, car lots, etc. would all benefit from a strong working community. Also, other industries that need to support the oil sands and pipelines would also prosper.
Consumers would be affected because the cost of living would increase in their community where the oil sands are located. It could be the opposite in areas along the pipeline because it could depreciate the housing market and make it difficult for some people.
My verdict on the Keystone XL pipeline is that yes Canada should keep going because economically for our country it is good. If the government and the companies involved in the oil sands are keeping up with the environmental issues, like they promised, then overall the positive outweighs the negative.
From: Ethan
I agree that the pipeline would be good for the economy and the harm to the environment hopefully will be regulated. It would be really positive if the companies did monitor and try to regulate environmental impacts. Great points about the specific different industries that would be affected, the impact on the housing market as well as cost of living in certain communities. I had never thought about or heard those facts before!
DeleteI agree that there is more positive than negative
DeleteI think that the keystone XL pipeline would be beneficial to our land therefore we need it.
ReplyDeleteOil is the most important resource of energy worldwide and we need it for our economy. It does have negative and harmful effects like the pipeline crossing through the habitats of invasive species and endangering them, running through indigenous land causing a concern to the treaties and their rights to the land. According to a member of Athabasca Chipewyan first nation, the pipeline and what they are planning on doing has had a big impact on their animal surroundings like caribou, birds, mouse and fish as well as the water and the forest. The pipeline crosses 50 different rivers and streams so it puts our water at a higher risk of getting contaminated.They say that they will transport 600,000 barrels of oil every day and spills are unlikely because pipelines are the safest way to transport oil but if the oil did spill it is likely that it will not damage the environment around it as much as we think it will. These are horrible things that occurred because of the pipeline but we all need oil to function. There is a list of things we do and use that have oil in them. For example cars, planes, roads, toys, computers and the list goes on. Besides the negative impacts there are many more positive impacts like the oil pipelines provide many different jobs, tax revenues, they lower greenhouse gas emissions and more. In order for this pipeline to be built I think that the government needs to come to an agreement with the indiginous because we are disrespecting the use of their land and it should be moved off of the land where it should not be.
-maddy
I agree that the pipeline is necessary for our own country and others. We are not currently in a situation where we are able to decrease our oil use, and the pipeline will benefit the economy and provide jobs. It would also be very nice if the government could come to agreement with the indigenous and set the tone for more positive interactions in the future.
DeleteI agree that it is beneficial for us to survive at the moment, because we haven't found an alternative we need to have oil so that our economy and world can function. I also agree that we are disrespecting the land of the indigenous and that we need to fix that.
DeleteSteven
ReplyDeleteI think that the keystone pipeline will be a great advantage in the future Canada economy, but also it will be a serious environmental problem that the Canadian government needs to face. Alberta's Athabascan Tar Sands is the world's biggest industrial project, and the oil, gas, pipeline, and mining sector accounted for 28 percent of Canada’s GDP in the goods-producing industry sector in 2014. In 2015 transmission pipeline operations of all types added more than $11.5 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP). Recently the Keystone pipeline is running from Alberta to the US, which this project can make 2.7 billion dollars to the Canadian GDP, These things make Canada have great benefit on the international’s trades, which mean these part play a necessary role in Canada economy. But after the huge benefits is the terrible harm to the environment. The oil sands give Alberta the third-largest reserves in the world, but extracting the oil is energy-intensive and destructive to the landscape, and also the oil industry uses cut lines in the forest like this one to search for underground resources and build infrastructure for future development, which we can imagine how the nearby forest will be in the future, and the Prime Minister also realized this point and he writes on the Twitter that we need to act now so our kids can have a healthy planet and good jobs!
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DeleteI definitely agree with some of your points but don’t you think oil is very crucial in our everyday life? And there is not an alternative that is affordable and can meet the demand to replace oil.
DeleteI agree with the keystone pipeline will be a great advantage in the future Canada economy, those money goes to roads, schools and hospitals and it helps everyone in the country.
DeleteI agree about the benefits to the economy, I feel that they outweigh the environmental impacts of the pipeline. The amount of species and habitat lot through construction will never compare that of 700 of tonnes of oil spilled into the ocean per year, or the thousands of tanker truck and rail spills and explosions. (ourworldindata.org, nrc.org) A pipeline is the least risky method for both people and the environment, and the jobs it will provide make it all the more beneficial.
Deleteon behalf of Zoey:
DeleteI agree with what you have said here, although we need this for our economy it could mess up our habit for animals.
The Keystone XL pipeline has the potential to be a big contributor to Canada's economy, by providing access to crude oil markets in North America. The Keystone XL pipeline will not only boost the economy but also provide “20,000 well-paying jobs during manufacturing and construction,” according to the Global Energy Institute and bring in “$5.2 billion in property taxes during the lifetime of the pipeline” according to the Global Energy Institute. Although the pipeline may take a toll on the environment having risks of oil spills, passing through indigenous reserves, and disrupting animal habitats, it would be worth the possible consequences. We use oil every single day from making asphalt to heating homes and right now we don't have an economic alternative source to stop using oil. Currently, only 2% of the world population uses electric cars which goes to show how still the majority of the world relies on oil supply. In conclusion, the Keystone XL pipeline is necessary for the economy and everyday life although there is a chance of unfortunate consequences such as water contamination and pollution. I think Canada should continue to use oil and invest the income for greener energy alternatives.
ReplyDeleteSteven
DeleteI agree with your point about using the income of oil to invest more in renewable energy, I think that the renewable energy will be more Popular in the future, and hopeful maybe someday can replace the oil.
I agree, as I also believe that the pipeline will have a lot of favourable economic impacts. It will provide employment and boost local economies. While the environmental impacts aren't beneficial, I believe in the long term the pipeline will be gainful.
DeleteI agree that it gives our economy a boost and how much we really need that right now. It is interesting how much property taxes the pipeline will have.
DeleteThat is a good idea about investing some of the profits from oil into clean energy. I think this would be very effective, and oil consumption could be phased out slowly enough to have a smaller economic impact, and alternative energy would have time to increase in popularity. That's a really neat idea.
DeleteI slightly lean towards the side of agreeing to construct the Keystone XL pipeline. Obviously, on paper, from an economic perspective, it would provide a beneficial impact on such an economy, as prediction, the pipeline extension would add a 2.7 billion dollars to Canada's GDP. TransCanada estimated to create 140,000 jobs from such, although according to the US State Department, it is more likely to be 42,000.
ReplyDeleteHowever, there are the concerns. Not only the environmental issue, which would bring a negative impact on wildlife and especially endangered species, it also brings social aspects, as people in the way would have to be relocated.
Since others' writing has already included and provided many valid points and information on such matters, it would be unnecessary and disrespectful to restate their points. I do understand, and very much is concern about our environment, as I wish the different sources of cause to the current environmental issues we are facing would be stopped. I also respect the majority of activists who are acting on behalf of such environmental problems and others who are concern about the issue. However, from past examples, I believe that people instead of often conforming to the similar mindset or opinion towards the public, without having the actual ability or position to act on such issue because of who the polluters are and their sizes, people should also understand and accept the truth where some of such root causes to some environmental issues are improbable and late to be solved, instead only possible to suppress the rate of the polluting, for examples like agricultural pollution from huge companies, and pollution from government's military, especially the US military.
I agree, oil is a crucial resource right now, and although the Keystone XL pipeline might disrupt animal habitats it is worth it because of the need for oil and jobs. The pipeline will provide a boost in the economy while also providing jobs at the cost of relocation of animals and breaking treaties with indigenous reserves.
DeleteI agree. The wonderful claims predicted look very nice on paper, however there is no way in proving whether or not these predictions are true until the project is complete. I also find your point about relocating the communities that stand in the way of construction very interesting.
DeleteThe debate of whether or not the construction of the Keystone pipeline would be beneficial or not has started quite a lot of controversy in Canada recently. Environmentalist groups and First Nations settlers are pushing for the project to be cancelled, preserving the would be destroyed ecosystems , while the grand corporations such as the TC Energy, encourage its construction, fueled by the economic success that will follow.
ReplyDeleteThe Tar Sands have been proven to have very damaging effects on the ecosystem. Due to the very sludge-like composition of the tar sands, refining the oil that comes from tar sands takes a lot of energy. This makes harvesting tar sand oil much more environmentally damaging than normal crude oil. Research has shown that mining for and refining tar sand oil creates 17% more carbon emissions than conventional oil. Shifting over to the Keystone pipeline, the drawbacks of constructing it would unquestionable by plentiful. This 1896 km pipeline, will need to cut through a lot of the environment in order to be complete. This not only will destroy dozens of ecosystems, and habitats filled with endangered species but also affects the native locals of these lands, the First Nations. Deranger, a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, claims that the construction of the pipeline and the tar sands, have had a very derailing affect on the resources that his people have derailed on for generations.
However, despite the damage and scarring effects this would have on the ecosystem, the economic benefits are unbelievable. According to the Global Energy Institution, the pipeline would bring employment for over 20,000 people, during its manufacturing phase and construction. This project would also then increase the personal income of the American workers by 6.5 billion dollars throughout the lifetime of the pipeline. It is also predicted to generate an estimated of 138.4 million dollars in annual property tax for the local governments located near the pipeline, produce 585 million dollars in new taxes for the local communities on the route in which the pipeline is made and create over 5.2 billion dollars in property tax. The pipeline extension is also believed to bring and additional 2.7 billion dollars of gross domestic product (GDP) to Canada.
I don't believe that businesses and consumers should worry about the effects, as it would ultimately prove to be very beneficial. The surrounding communities that are located along the pipeline will have very prosperous economies which will be very favourable for both the businesses and the consumers.
In my opinion, I support the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline extension. While I agree that there are many who are concerned about the environmental impacts that will undoubtedly happen as a result to it's construction, I have to say that the long term economic prosperity and employment opportunity for thousands outweigh the cons. That is why I support its construction.
I very much agree with you. The controversy in terms of the actual realistic benefits it will bring to the economy remains, considering some believe from past experiences and examples where pipelines were not as beneficial as they were said or predicted to be before construction. Nevertheless, it will still contribute the economy with numbers of noticeable benefits as you listed.
DeleteThese are some very good points you're making. I agree, that the construction of the pipeline will be very beneficial for the economy. I also agree that this pipeline will be a great opportunity for access to stable and reliable energy sources.
ReplyDeleteWith Alberta being the leading source of oil for the United States, it not only helps with Canada's economy but the rest of the world too. Canadian oil and natural gas provided $108 billion to Canada's GDP in 2018 and provided $8 billion in average annual revenue to governments for the period 2016 to 2018. Those revenue helps pay for the hospitals, roads and schools. This is very beneficial for the government and the Canadians. Also, Michels Canada, which build the projects that allow our customers to fuel people's need for reliable utility services, promised to hire 200 people from the locals. Therefore, Canadians can have more jobs as well. There are more than 840,000 km of pipelines criss-cross the country. Major pipelines are Enbridge Mainline, TC Energy Keystone and Enbridge Line 9. Most of them are from Alberta and connected to different other provinces in Canada. According to the article, if Alberta was a country, it would be in the top five oil-production countries in the world. Alberta's GDP in 2018 was CDN$338.2 billion. Back to the pipelines, in Canada and the United States, there are over 130,000 km of CEPA members’ transmission pipelines. Keystone XL pipeline is an oil pipeline system in Canada and the United States, commissioned in 2010 and now owned solely by TC Energy. It goes from Alberta and passes through Regina, Steele City, Liberty County, Baker and to Nebraska with 830,000 barrels of Alberta tar sands oil per day. From the time it was proposed in 2008, the path for this controversial pipeline has never been smooth. In 2015, Obama acknowledged its threats to ecosystems, drinking water sources, and public health. I believe he didn't like about it. Then when Trump is the president, he signed an executive order to advance Keystone XL pipeline. Although I agree with everything I have just said. There are cons about the pipeline too. The extension crossing approximately 50 rivers and streams, the risk of oil spills are dangerous. It forms pollution and released into the ocean and could kill fishes and sea animals. It could affect humans too, especially people who clean up the spill are more at risk. Problems could include skin and eye irritation, neurologic and breathing problems, and stress. This is something where the government should notice more. In conclusion, Keystone XL pipeline is a big influence on Canada's economy but sometimes it could be dangerous as well.
ReplyDeleteThats exactly the point i was trying to make as well, " although the pipeline is a big influence on Canadas economy, sometimes it can be extremely dangerous as well." to people, animals and overall the environment around Canada.
DeleteI agree with the point you made on how dangerously the pipeline could affect people's health.
DeleteI agree with you they need to pay attention to the environment and this would put people at risk even if it helps the Canadian economy.
DeleteI agree with you. Although it brings huge benefits, it still causes some serious problem. Hope people will find a better solution in the future
DeleteWhat in your opinion has a bigger impact, the population or the economic movement?
DeleteI agree that it is a difficult issue and there are heavy arguments from both sides. It is either our lives or the economy.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHonestly this is a really tough topic to comment on. I think the pipeline has both positive and negative effects. Taking climate change and environmental conservation seriously has been a real struggle for people in the last couple decades. I think the pipelines are obviously super beneficial for this world and the country of Canada. However it is going to reap some consequences such as climate change, environmental and habitat destruction. Also the indigenous people and their lands need to be preserved and respected. I think, as of now, although the pipelines are effective and beneficial to the economy around the world, it is destroying so much. Its a very controversial topic in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point that the Indigenous people and their lands need to be preserved and respected because they consider their land sacred and they consider themselves protectors of their land and the nature. Indigenous people should be consulted when discussing this project seeing as the pipeline crosses their land.
DeleteI agree with you on the consequences that the pipeline will have so it does make it hard to pick sides. Climate change is a huge topic and this pipeline is not the best for it.
Delete-maddy
Yes, I agree with you on the point you mentioned about the pipeline being very beneficial but it will will bring consequences.
DeleteI agree that the pipeline has positive and negative effects and is beneficial.
DeleteI agree with Joyce," it is very hard to say whether the advantages of the pipeline are worth the risks it poses."
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThis controversial topic about whether putting the pipelines is right or not will only remain in the eyes of the media and the people. Although the government has issued carbon tax for big industrial emitters, it is still very encouraged and tolerated. The carbon tax has also raised 463 million for energy research. In my opinion, until further noticeable damage done, the government will not be willing to give up such a big economic push.
To decide what is right in this topic, we have to see what we value more. Do we value that the pipeline is providing more jobs than destroyed jobs for the indigenous people, some water being polluted, in fact only 0.558% of Canada's waters and whatever around the water that is affected, very small percentage of accidents that happen due the transportation of oil. Or do we value the massive income as stated by other people, the many jobs it beings, and how this money could be used to benefit the people.
Not many facts stated because they have all been stated above.
You have good points and I agree that the government would not be willing to give up a big economic push such as this one even if it did affect the environment.
DeleteI do agree that this would be good for the economy and giving jobs to the indigenous people I do think we also need to look at the environment and making sure we protect it as well
DeleteThe Canadian Tar Sands and the Keystone Pipeline is interesting cause it comes off as what we need. The oil that Canadas produces is used for a of economic factors. Some of these factors is that it produces 2.6 million barrels a day that Canada uses for trade. The point of building the Keystone Pipeline was to get more oil from Canada to United States. Canada get goods from the States most of our fruit and vegetables during winter comes from the States. The Keystone Pipeline may help the economy mostly the connection with Canada and United States but the environment causes that the Keystone Pipeline are worse. If they go ahead with the Keystone Pipeline the damage, they will do is extreme to the environment. Where they want to build the railroad there are endanger species. I feel that we should do more transportation to keep the endanger species safe. And if they were to build it, they could risk these animals going extinct. Another issue is you have to go over water which can put fish at risk and if a barrel leaked it could get in the water. The pipe line is also planned to cut through in First Nation people land. The oil sand has already taken up land that they used to hunt and cutting this will make it hard for them to find food. I feel that although this may help the economy the environment will suffer too much to do it. As Tart said in the National Geographic “it will take years to complete. “Long after the industry is gone, we will have to deal with the consequences.”. so why would we spend years ruing our environment for it not even to be used. So, although this may be worth it to help the transportation of oil, I feel like it shouldn’t happen since it would hurt the environment and wouldn’t be helping global warmi
ReplyDeleteI like that you pointed out how much oil it produces every day and I agree that the environment will suffer much more than the economy.
DeleteI think that the Keystone pipeline has many advantages and disadvantages. Oil is one of the main sources for the economy so unless there is another alternative of oil that will provided the same amount of revenue we will see a big crash in our economy. It will also provide 2000 jobs to people in the area, witch is good for the people that are already surrounded by it. It will also mean that people from other places won't be forced to move there and that will keep the prices of house and other things low. It also has many disadvantages like be awful for the environment and could possibly kill off an entire species. These things are awful even in this time where our climate is at its worse. I think that Canada should be making up for this in other ways to keep our climate more controlled. This has also caused the governments relationship with the indigenous even worse. They haven't had the best relationship at times but this is making it worse and it isn't right that we didn't even give them a say in any discussions. We should be working together and not against each other. I think that the government did a really bad job on how they executed it. They should have involved the indigenous and they should have found better and safer places for it to run though. They have the money to make it longer or have a detour to make sure that our environment and people are safe and happy.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this has damaged the relationship between the Canadian government and the Indigenous people.
DeleteI agree with your points especially the one about making detours or extending it. I also agree we need to make sure that the relationship with the indigenous people is strong and The Keystone pipeline would only make it worse.
DeleteI agree with the point about how the government should make up in other ways for example they could increase the amount of green energy they use instead of using lots of fossil fuels
DeleteThis new project with the Athabascan Tar Sands will clearly benefit Canada economically and financially. It’s been said that this project will give jobs to 2,000 local people and will boost Canada’s GDP by 2.7 million dollars. Canada will definitely garner all the profit that typically comes with international trade, but it will also become susceptible to a large amount of problems concerning its environment and ecosystem. More that 600,000 barrels of oil will be carried across fifty rivers and streams by this pipeline. Two of these rivers are the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers. It will also cross many areas that are home to endangered species. Keystone XL could have a truly negative impact on many animals whose habitats it will cross. It appears that this pipeline will simply be 2,735 kilometers of endangerment to North America. I believe there is more negative than positive when considering this pipeline, and the financial benefit isn't worth the damage that could be inflicted on the world. There is also the huge impact this project will have on indigenous people to consider. There is an enormous amount of harmful change Keystone XL will bring to the current lifestyle of indigenous groups. When it comes to natural resources, it’s been shown that the best way to extract it is by only extracting limited amounts at a time. Canada, which has advocated so much positive activity concerning climate change and the environment, should acknowledge this fact. People who will reap the benefits of this pipeline should deeply consider the detrimental effects it could have on this one Earth we have. I believe that this planet has been so kind to us, and we should return the favor to the best of our ability.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the people benefiting from this pipeline should also be aware and consider the harm it is doing to the Earth instead of solely focusing on their benefits.
DeleteThe Keystone XL Pipeline is harmful to the environment and beneficial to the economy. Some harmful effects of the tar sands in Canada and the greenhouse gases they produce are clear-cutting to access deposits, bitumen leaks that can pollute water and harm the wildlife, and construction of pipelines which causes loss of animal habitats.
ReplyDeleteIn Alberta, many of the tar sand operations required clear-cutting so the deposits could be accessed. Trees, topsoil, and other vegetation had to be removed, resulting in loss of habitat for local wildlife. If a pipe bursts or a leak occurs, the bitumen may pollute the area around the pipe, including bodies of water, fields, and animal habitats. It will poison the wildlife in that area, the crops and plants growing in the fields, and will make the water toxic so people and animals cannot use it.
Pipeline construction will have a negative impact on the wildlife. "Opponents of Keystone XL are concerned about the construction’s impact on wildlife. The pipeline’s route and associated power lines would span the majority of endangered whooping cranes’ southern migration route to Texas from Canada. It would also cross the remaining habitats of other threatened species such as piping plovers, sage grouse, and swift fox. The pipeline’s route crosses over 50 streams, increasing the risk that oil spills would affect pallid sturgeon habitats.” (Environmental and Energy Law Program).
Some positives to the Canadian tar sands are that it helps grow the local and Canadian economy, it creates and supports jobs, and it has strengthened the economic partnership between Canada and the USA. The bitumen from Canada's tar sands counts for 97% of Canada's proven oil reserves, which makes tar sands a vital part of the Canadian economy. Tar sands are very important to Alberta's economy. In 2017, over 140 000 people were employed in Alberta's energy sector, according to Statistics Canada. In 2016-2017, Alberta made 1.48 billion dollars revenue from bitumen. It has strengthened the economic partnership between Canada and the USA, because Canada is the number one foreign supplier of oil to the USA (Global News)
Businesses should be concerned about the effects of the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline because they are damaging to the environment and some even irreversible.
I think that the Keystone XL Pipeline should not be built. The economic impact is not worth it. The environment is worth more than the economic advantage of this pipeline. The existing pipeline should be left as it is, so no further damage to the environment is caused. In the future, scientists should look for ways to transport bitumen in solid form to reduce harm caused by spills.
The bitumen from Canada's tar sands counts for 97% of Canada's proven oil reserves, which makes tar sands a vital part of the Canadian economy. This is according to the Government of Canada.
DeleteI agree with your points and I like that you included both sides of this debate. I also agree that the environment is worth more than the economic advantage of the pipeline.
DeleteI agree with some arguments on both sides
DeleteThe topic of the canadian tar sands and the keystone pipeline is a very controversial topic with as many benefits as there are disadvantages. Personally I would lean more on the side of nature, being that with the canadian tar sands and the keystone pipeline there are many risks to many natural environments, but there are lots of reasons as well as to why the canadian tar sands and the keystone pipeline will be helpful. Some of the advantages that the canadian tar sands and the keystone pipeline provide are jobs and a long term energy supply located in Canada instead of constantly importing oil from other countries. There are also a lot of potential negative effects from the canadian tar sands and the keystone pipeline that include risks of oil spills in any of the 50 rivers and streams the pipeline crosses and endangerment to ecosystems of already endangered species. There is also the controversy of the canadian tar sands and the keystone pipeline crossing into first nation territory, which is causing concerns for many about previous treaties.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion I do think that there should be concern about the canadian tar sands and the keystone pipeline just in case there is a leak in all of the 1897 kilometers the pipeline runs for. In the scenario that there is a leak, what happens then? Will they shut down the canadian tar sands and the keystone pipeline or will they keep it running? If the canadian tar sands and the keystone pipeline did get shut down after it became Canada's and the United State's main power source all the oil businesses and their consumers would then be worried and it would make a pretty big impact.. The canadian tar sands and the keystone pipeline is meant to be very useful towards being Canada's and the United State's power source, but there are many negative effects that can come from it.
The Keystone Pipeline can be very dangerous for the environment but it can also help the economy. A lot of people have protested because of the environmental effects it has, for example if the pipeline leaks it will have terrible effects for the environment. An oil leak would have terrible consequences for the flora and fauna. The construction of the pipeline came across President Barack Obamas four years of presidency, his initiative towards the pipeline unleashed numerous protests against the pipeline across the United States. Many activists protested about the environmental effects, some argued about land rights such as and owned by indigenous people, and others about the possible humanitarian disasters it may bring.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this statement about how dangerous it can be if this pipe line leaks oil it could cover the habitats around it with oil and that would kill so many plants and animals. I also think that the government could have seen the protests and allowed the people it will effect have a say on the building of this pipeline.
DeleteI agree with you, as it is essential and ideal to have a stable access to such energy supply, and considerable to have such amount of contribution to the economy and numbers of produces jobs. I think so too that it is hard to decide if whenever the benefits it brings along to the economy and others in general are worth the risk, considering we cannot ignore the harm such will bring to the environment and nature.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Keystone pipeline is necessary for Canada's economy as well as the rest of the world. Alberta is the world's third largest proven oil reserve. According to IEA.org/reports only 2.6% of vehicles worldwide were electric. Through those clues, it’s obvious that oil is currently one of the biggest resources that human needs. Some of the major harmful effects of the tar sands is one of the most important, Alberta's climate change. North America's transition from the tar sands to oil not only perpetuates, but actually creates the emissions of the greenhouse gas pollution from the oil consumption. Tar sands generate 17% more carbon emissions than conventional oil. the keystone pipeline will be a great advantage in the future Canada economy, but also it will be a serious environmental problem that the Canadian government needs to face. Alberta's Athabascan Tar Sands is the world's biggest industrial project, and the oil, gas, pipeline, and mining sector accounted for 28 percent of Canada’s GDP in the goods-producing industry sector in 2014. In 2015 transmission pipeline operations of all types added more than $11.5 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product . Although it may cause harm to some endangered animals and locals. Its benefits are absolutely bigger than it hurts.
ReplyDeletePosted on behalf of claire:
ReplyDeleteI believe that the Keystone XL pipeline would be overall beneficial for our country. Oil remains a vital energy source and is one of the most important natural resources we have available. In a time when jobs are becoming harder to find, and families are facing economic hardship, it would be challenging to ignore this as a source of development.
The negative impacts are definitely worth considering. From an environmental perspective, pipelines crossing land and streams may influence natural animal habitats and have the potential of devastating spills. Encouraging oil as a source of energy may promote carbon monoxide emissions while renewable sources are becoming more available. From a social perspective, the pipeline will disrupt First Nation lands and will become a significant source of tension.
There would be economic benefits in both the construction and maintenance of the pipeline. There would be an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the United States. We would be less reliant on potentially needing oil from other countries. With much of current oil delivery reliant on railways, a pipeline is arguably a much safer alternative to transport.
It has been argued that many of the jobs produced will be temporary and go to Americans, limiting the economic impact for Canadians. Much of our international identity as Canadians focuses on environmentalism, so businesses and consumers should be wary of the trade-off between possible minimal economic gain in exchange for a negative public image.
Energy not reliant on fossil fuels will be a focus of future development, but for the time-being oil remains a main source. Our country is fortunate to have this natural resource, and at a time where we are struggling economically we should utilize what we have available to us. The social and environmental impacts should be reduced through careful planning and communication, but I ultimately support building the pipeline.
I think that the government should use some of its earnings from the pipe line and invest it back into the people and places they are hurting. For example since they are destroying wildlife they could build more parks and plant more trees or they could put more funding into wild life protection services.
ReplyDeleteI agree that they could build parks and plant more trees.
DeletePosted on behalf of Zoey:
ReplyDeleteI believe that the tar sands and the key stone pipe line could both really bad for the environment. For one it’s going through animals habitats where that could mess up animals migration patterns. Also there is a chance that the pipe could burst and leek oil into water and land killing lodes of animals. Although I think that it could be bad for the environment, there are some positives to the tar sands. For one it will help provide jobs for those who want or need it. Oil is also good for our transport and day to day life, we also need the oil for our economy. The oil will also be really good for transportation business to help them access it easier and also do the best job they can. The pipe line will be going through native lands risking the fact that there could be a oil spill and recking the native land. Through this pipe line Canada will also be saving a good amount of money, Canada buys most of the oil from Saudi Arabia so that cost money to get it shipped out to Canada. If we already have the oil in Canada we will be saving money on shipping and if we ever need the oil we will have it right in Canada. Those are my opinions to the Canadian tar sands and the Key-stone XL pipe line.