Canada´s Oil Sands

In this essay, the author

• Argues that canada's oil sands are a blessing rather than curse because the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. the paper aims at indicating points against the statement.
• Explains that oil sands are unconventional petroleum deposits consisting of loose and partially consolidated mudstone that contains natural mixtures of natural clay and water which is saturated with a highly viscous form of petroleum known as bitumen.
• Explains that refining, extracting and processing oil sands has undesirable social, economic, and environmental effects.
• Explains that oil sands in canada have been proven to have adverse economic effects to the people of canada and alberta.
• Explains that the oil sands in canada could adversely affect the growth of not only canada but u.s.a as well.
• Explains that pipelines and massive processes of refining oil sands in canada pose a great threat to air, water, and land as well as human health.
• Analyzes how phillips (2013) determined that oil sand extraction around alberta is unlikely to remain viable economically over the next decade. the viscosity of the crude oil inhibits its flow, making it two to three times more expensive than pipelines.
• Explains that to mine the oil sands, all wetlands must be drained and the rivers diverted. this takes up a lot of investment and affects the water supply to the people living in alberta.
• Explains that only 20% of the sand is shallow enough to be scooped up using the steam shovels, but it requires steam heated up to 538•c to reduce the viscosity of bitumen.
• Analyzes how environmental degradationsmith's explanation of how the oil is extracted affects the environment and wildlife tourism in canada.
• Explains that the oil sands exploration in alberta has provided employment and resulted in the growth of the economy.
• Explains that the production of crude from oil sands results in 200% and 400% green house gas emissions per barrel in comparison to the normal conventional method.
• Explains that the amount of water used in alberta is very large, resulting in a reduction in water levels and pollution. the canadian government has provided legislation to govern the amounts of waters used and to minimize the emission.
• Explains that the energy and infrastructure required for the effective, efficient and safe production of oil sand is massive and requires heavy use and dependence on technology.
• States that the canadian government has invested heavily in a carbon capture and storage (ccs) system, which is still unproven so far.
• Opines that economic profitability should not overlook the fundamental human rights of the people and the importance of environmental preservation.
• Evaluates the pros and cons of oil sands in canada. it has its economic advantages but its downside seems to outweigh its pros.
• Recommends that the canadian government establish stricter laws that will result in the elimination or total minimization of emissions and the producers come up with more efficient and effective ways of production that don't lead to environmental degradation.
• Explains that oil sands boom is a two-edged sword in canada's alberta province.
• Cites job, m., and levant, e. (2011). ethical oil: the case for canada's oil sands.
• Explains phillips, m., and siegel, p. (2012). tar sands oil: pros and cons.