The onslaught of problems presented- from the muderous Syncrude tailings ponds to the issues of water scarcity to the threats of fish and wildlife, and human disease was simply horrific. Although the fingers of the First Nations were pointed directly at oil giants like Suncor, Syncrude, Enbridge, and government agencies such as Alberta Environment, Environment Canada, Energy Resources Conservation Board, and National Energy Board, I did not feel this to be the solution.
Yes. Oil sand tailings have killed countless numbers of birds and fish and threatened the habitats of other wildlife.
Yes. The use of tremendous quantities of water to generate the oil has put our water supply in danger.
Yes. Environmental pollution contribute to global warming.
Yes. Environmental chemicals have led to an increase in outbreaks of human disease such as cancer.
What is the underlying problem here? Is it the Oil industry's insatiable thirst for economic gains? Or the simple principle of supply and demand?
This says it all. More people means higher demand for essential resources of survival: food, clothing, shelter- all of which depend on oil. Is this growing global demand for oil triggered by the federal government or the oil and pipelines industries? Or is it self-inflicted?
White Water Balck Gold scares me because we don't have an answer. (And by posing these unanswered questions to HR reps of oil companies will most definitely make them look stupid, as the case for anyone else) We do not know where the carrying capacity of our planet lies- nor do we know of any alternative efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly methods of obtaining energy. Before we put the easy blame on government and oil companies for the damage, I encourage you to think about whether you are really ready to return to a primitive way of life.
And do you have a better solution to satiate the global demand for energy
If only we could all be hobbits. <-- Nonsensical, of course.
ReplyDeleteHow I love being a hypocrite. I yell, "to hell with oil," but I realize that it represents a portion of the make-up of the industrialized world; the only world that I have known. Reliance on these energies can't disappear over night but I do almost wish for a utopian paradise where humans live and breathe in companionship with the earth.
One can only hope that other energies can be harnessed (such as a mega shift for renewable energy like that of wind, water and solar). Or from an Architectural point of view, to reduce the impact of construction waste which uses up our resources by smarter methods or through learning with the earth and sciences why certain structures still exist. The honeycomb, the ability an arch to stand freely due to compressive strengths... all of that mumble jumble!
.. On another note, I really need to stop reading and commenting on your blogs when I'm severely lacking in sleep and can't form coherent ideas.
I agree- I would have liked to see more of a balanced argument in the documentary for alternative energy solutions. Perhaps there isn't enough pressure on the government and industry to focus on research, which I think is a perfectly sound argument against oilsands developers. I would like to add that the Q&A session after the film did address local rescaling strategies for environmental conservation. However, a mass shift in energy alternatives will definitely not happen overnight. In the meantime, we will just have to watch the environmental tragedies unfold...
ReplyDeletePS. Sleep is really important for you! But comments are always greatly appreciated. =)