Canadian Government Says Emissions from Tar Sands Could Double

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Alberta’s tar sands could double by 2020, according to a recently released report from the Canadian government. In 2009, Canada signed the Copenhagen Accord, pledging to reduce its GHG emissions 17 percent by 2020. All the decreases will be offset by the increases in tar sands emissions, and that will mean Canada will only meet 25 percent of its targets.

Guess who is the biggest purchaser of Canada’s tar sands? Let me give you a hint: A proposed project, the Keystone XL project, would take Alberta’s tar sands crude to Texas refineries via a pipeline. In fact, the pipeline would pump 500,000 barrels of tar sands crude from Alberta to Texas every day, with a $13 billion price tag.

“The keystone pipeline sends a signal from Gulf Coast refineries to Alberta that we’re open for business. Of course, that is going to drive far more production at the tar sands. And that’s a sad story from a climate perspective, because we’re talking about unlocking a lot of new emissions,” says Ryan Salmon, an energy policy advisor at the National Wildlife Foundation (NFW), in an interview with Climate Progress.

“The idea that this is fuel for America, that it will improve our energy security, is a mirage. It’s going to go to refineries, some owned by Saudi interests, and get sold off on the global market. It’s a way to connect Canadian crude producers to more refining, and easier access to the world market,” says NFW’s Salmon. “Is that really benefiting us?”

What about the emissions from the tar sands’ American cousin, shale? The method used to drill for shale is hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Fracking causes methane emissions, according to a study published this spring, and methane has a warming potential 20 times greater than carbon dioxide.

The Center for Biological Diversity calls shale and tar sands development “one of the filthiest ways to produce energy.” The Center points out that developing shale and tar sands deals a “disastrous blow to any hope of reducing atmospheric carbon to below 350 parts per million,” which is the level needed to avoid the worst effects of global warming.

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Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Elizabeth M.

11:16AM PDT on Apr 18, 2012

Why are Canada and the United States not looking for renewables??
I am Canadian and disgusted that Canada will only meet 25% reduction of GHG's.

send a green star

Dan W.

12:20PM PST on Dec 6, 2011

My brother, Tom Weis, is trekking from Canada/Montana border to Texas on his "Rocket Trike" bring awareness to local towns along the proposed pipeline route. For more info and to read his journal, go to: http://www.RideForRenewables.com. Please also LIKE his facebook page: www.facebook.com/rideforrenewables

Sharon S.

11:10AM PST on Dec 6, 2011

Question of the day : Do they charge you 'carbon tax' when you fill up on gasoline? If so, into whose pockets does that 'carbon tax' go? and why?

Brian F.

10:32AM PST on Dec 6, 2011

Stop this insanity now! Only Canada will become rich and benefit from this by selling oil to the world market. The USA will be the looser and have to incur the pipeline oil spills as well as future tanker spills in the Gulf.

Patricia H.

7:00AM PST on Dec 6, 2011

This is all about the Keystone Pipeline XL which the Republicans are trying THIS WEEK to attach to any bill passed in Congress. We need to storm Congress and the White House with Call and emails NOW.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/bc-first-nations-unite-to-ban-export-of-tar-sands-oil.html#ixzz1flbpfS6o

Carole R.

11:07AM PDT on Oct 7, 2011

Well noted. Keep up the fight.

Jill M.

12:39AM PDT on Sep 13, 2011

It runs much deeper than the Americas, right? You know that, you're smart.
Keep up the fight; I'm doing what I can.

Ruth R.

3:50PM PDT on Aug 26, 2011

So, since the pipeline cannot do any good. Maybe some good reasoning will get into the minds and hearts of the people who are trying to make the money off something that is not good for the people or the earth.

Patrick F.

1:51PM PDT on Aug 19, 2011

I just received a response from Mark Corey, spokesperson for Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources from a letter I sent July 16. Like usual, I got the typical political crap about how it's regulated and blah blah blah and about they are improving safety blah blah blah yet the accidents are getting more frequent. I guess the goal is to take the oil from the ground and then spill it onto the ground to soak into the ground and kill everything it touches....

1:41PM PDT on Aug 19, 2011

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pipeline_accidents