This was a great email that I received....pretty much speaks for itself!
Allow me to do the math for you as per the above:
- Canadian oil sands CO2 emissions are 0.17% of the US coal industry and 0.08% of China's total CO2 emissions.
- Canada's supposed dirty oil is an insignificant drop in the bucket compared to the American's very dirty coal and to China's very dirty air.
Canadians must recognize that our national pastime has too long been to sever our noses to spite our faces. Oil and gas made up 21% of Canada's exports in 2006 and is at the top of the list of all Canadian exports. Think of it this way, every Canadian across the country (from St. John's to Victoria) must recognize that 21% of each dollar you have in your account or wallet has gotten there because of oil and gas exports from B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.
Now, go grab your microscopes and read the Alberta emissions figures above.....
This is bad logic, and it kinda drives me nuts when people use it.
ReplyDeleteObviously China and other big emitters need to come onside. However, how can Canada/Alberta be a leader in promoting positive steps to combat climate change if we don't address our own problems. Hell, if our problem is so small, it shouldn't be any trouble to address, no?
When the US spews the same amount of GHG in a single day that Alberta's oil sands emit in a year (!), then why should Albertans be on the hook for doing anything. Sorry, the ball's clearly in someone else's court, but not Alberta's.
ReplyDeleteMy partner and I have been talking for years about how so many other cities/countries are pouring out such putrid crap their own citizens have to wear MASKS to walk around in it at times, and yet we are always on the news for our Dirty Oil. It totally disgusts me. I am all for constantly learning and creating better ways to deal with pollutants, but others need to severely clean up their acts before making Oil Sands a dirty word around the world. My friends overseas have heard of the oil sands a lot on their news and it baffles me. Meanwhile in their country, you can't even see out their apartment window many mornings because of smog. Like you seriously cannot see ANYTHING. When have Albertans had to walk around with a mask on to protect their lungs on city streets? Like seriously...
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