Gned Final

Front 1

Why are the oil sands so significant to the Alberta economy? Please describe in terms of employment and contribution to Alberta’s GDP

Back 1

In 2009, about 136,200 people were directly employed in the mining, oil and gas extraction sector, including the oil sands. In 2008, the energy sector accounted for 30.8 % of Alberta’s GDP.

Front 2

“The question is not whether we should use oil sands oil instead of some perfect fantasy fuel that hasn’t been invented yet. Until that miracle fuel is invented, the question is whether we should use oil from the oil sands or oil from the other places in the world that pump it.” What are the four basic evaluative criteria (Basic Values) Levant uses to frame his “Ethical Oil” argument? Please list each one and provide a brief description of how each criterion is used to evaluate Alberta oil.

Back 2

Jobs, revenue and public income justify the hefty environmental costs. He argues oil sands aren’t just an economic asset, but an ethical one as well, a source of energy that can displace the theocratic and misogynistic crude of the Middle East, the gangster oil of Russia and the authoritarian petroleum of China.

“Every drop of oil from Alberta is one less drop from some fascist theocracy, or some brutal warlord; one less cent into the treasuries of Russia’s secret police and al-Qaeda’s murderers.”

Front 3

On what basis does The Honorable Joe Oliver - Minister of Natural Resources make the claim that Canada is an energy superpower?

Back 3

The oil sands account for one-10th of 1% —of total global greenhouse gas emissions.

Close to 90% of the water used in the oil sands is recycled. Working to develop new technologies to deal with tailings.

Front 4

“Building oil pipelines to new markets would boost Canadian economic growth by $131 billion between 2016 and 2030. “ Please discuss some of the areas of forecasted growth for Alberta and Canada in terms of taxes and employment.

Back 4

The study suggested the new pipelines would provide over $27 billion in federal, provincial and municipal tax revenue, and create 649,000 person-years of employment.

Front 5

Please discuss some of the environmental monitoring and reclamation activities the Alberta government and the oil industry are involved in with regards to the oil sands.

Back 5

Alberta’s laws require that oil sands companies reclaim and remediate land disturbed from mining so it can be productive again. By law, companies must post security equivalent to the cost of reclamation. Industry has planted more than 7.5 million tree seedlings towards reclamation efforts.

Alberta monitors both natural and human-caused changes to wildlife and biodiversity. We work with industry to reduce impacts to wildlife on sites and to address the unique issues facing wildlife in this rapidly growing industrial region. Actions require site-specific plans to keep wildlife safe, minimize habitat disturbance and ensure long-term health of ecosystems.

Front 6

According to the government, have the oil sands had any appreciable effect upon the environment? (Water, air, land)

Back 6

Air Quality: the Air Quality Index shows improved or no change in long-term air quality. Nitrogen dioxide demonstrated the only increase trend.

Water Quality: Monitoring stations on the Athabasca River have consistently achieved ratings of good to excellent since the onset of Water Quality Index reporting.

Comprehensive monitoring programs have not detected impacts from tailings ponds on surface water or potable groundwater.

Front 7

Please discuss some of the world’s major man made environmental disasters - Bhopal (India)

Back 7

• A poisonous gas cloud escaped from the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide factory.
• The cloud contained 15 metric tons of methyl isocyanate (MIC), covering an area of more than 30 square miles.
• The gas leak killed at least 4.000 local residents instantly and caused health problems such as oedema for at least 50.000 to perhaps 500.000 people.
• These health problems killed around 15.000 more victims in the years that followed.
• Approximately 100.000 people still suffer from chronic disease consequential to gas exposure, today.
• Union Carbide denied responsibility for the accident

Front 8

Please discuss some of the world’s major man made environmental disasters - Chernoble (Ukraine)

Back 8

• Fire and explosion at a nuclear reactor instantly killed 31 people.
• Two days after the explosion, the Swedish national radio reported that 10.000 times the normal amount of cesium-137 existed in the atmosphere, prompting Moscow to officially respond.
• The following day over 135.000 people were evacuated
• This area was labeled the 'special zone'. The evacuation of the special zone was permanent, as the high levels of radioactivity have been predicted to exist for several centuries.
• The radioactive cloud was blown north and northwest by wind, causing the first mention of the accident to be after radioactivity measurements in Sweden. The cloud covered a large area in Europe.
• On May 2, the cloud even reached the Netherlands, causing fresh fruit and vegetable consumption to be prohibited.

Front 9

According to critics, does the evidence indicate that industry and government have been responsible and proactive when dealing with environmental disasters? Why do you think industry seems to fight environmental claims so tenaciously?

Back 9

Since denial is common, critics would say that government/industry are not as proactive as they should be. Often times, minimal work is done.

The Canadian Government/Industries maintains/claims that their environmental impact is not a large as it is perceived to be (According to “studies” funded by industry/government). They also make statements like the industrial impact is largely local rather than broadly regional

Front 10

Patrick Moore, Greenpeace co-founder, has become a harsh critique abruptly leaving it after leading the group from 18-years because of what he calls “pop-environmentalism.” Please discuss

Back 10

He calls it “pop-environmentalism” that uses misinformation, fear and sensationalism to deal with people on the emotional level rather than intellectual level.

Front 11

Why does Patrick Moore support the oil sands and why does he say there is no logic for Greenpeace to target the oil sands?

Back 11

“Environmentalists like me recognize the world needs oil. When you open up the earth to extract oil, it’s not a pretty sight. But the disturbance is temporary.”

Front 12

The government has already labeled Canadians who question the Northern Gateway pipeline proposal as “radicals” and potential terrorists. Senators recently referred to many organizations that are working to protect our air, water, and land as “anti-Canadian.” And now Senator Don Plett has implied that such organizations would “take money from Al Qaeda, the Hamas, or the Taliban.”Why do you think the government is so aggressively attacking those who question proposed pipelines?

Back 12

??????

Front 13

Please identify the positive impacts the oil industry has had on the stakeholders involved - Energy companies

Back 13

In 2008, the energy sector accounted for 30.8 % of Alberta’s GDP.

Front 14

Please identify the positive impacts the oil industry has had on the stakeholders involved - Employees

Back 14

In 2009, about 136,200 people were directly employed in the mining, oil and gas extraction sector, including the oil sands. In 2012, approximately 121,500 people were employed in Alberta's upstream energy sector, which includes oil sands, conventional oil and gas, and mining.

Front 15

Please identify the positive impacts the oil industry has had on the stakeholders involved - aboriginals

Back 15

Provide employment to Aboriginal People. Suncor has paid $1 billion to Aboriginal firms since 1992.1500 aboriginals work for Oil Sands

Front 16

Please identify the positive impacts the oil industry has had on the stakeholders involved - Government Revenues.

Back 16

Alberta exports of goods rose by about 50 per cent from 2002 to 2012 to $95 billion, which includes almost $68 billion in energy exports. $1.5 trillion in GDP. 9,530,000 person years employment. Tax revenues of $188 billion. Royalties of $690 billion

Front 17

Please identify the positive impacts the oil industry has had on the stakeholders involved - Albertans

Back 17

The lowest tax regime in Canada. Alberta businesses do not pay general sales taxes, capital taxes or payroll taxes and Alberta has the lowest gasoline tax among provinces. The general corporate tax rate is 10 per cent, and the small business tax rate is three per cent.

In 2012, approximately 121,500 people were employed in Alberta's upstream energy sector, which includes oil sands, conventional oil and gas, and mining.

Royalties from the oil sands were $3.56 billion in 2012-2013. This is Albertans' share of the revenue from oil sands production and helps fund many public services.

According to the Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI), Alberta can expect $350 billion in royalties and $122 billion in provincial and municipal tax revenue from the oil sands over the next 25 years.

Front 18

Please identify the positive impacts the oil industry has had on the stakeholders involved - Canadians

Back 18

Oil sands currently affects the jobs of 112,000 people across Canada outside the province of Alberta and this is expected to grow to over 500,000 jobs over the next 25 years

Oil sands investment indirectly affects six broad sectors. In order of size, they include professional services, oilfield services, manufacturing, wholesale trade, financial services, and transportation.

Front 19

Please identify the positive impacts the oil industry has had on the stakeholders involved - American Energy Security

Back 19

For the first time in decades, the United States is experiencing a dramatic and sustained increase in domestic oil production. Increased internal energy security the U.S.

Front 20

Stupid to the last drop (1/4)

Back 20

• Processing from tar sands uses vast quantities of water. This water usage will double by 2010, when the projects will be withdrawing more water from the Athabasca River than the amount used by the entire population of Alberta. Water withdrawals have already had its negative effects
• Bitumen processing has caused poisonous chemicals to leak into the Athabasca River. (Poisoning fish and humans)
• Aboriginal settlements in the area have experienced extremely high and increased cancer rates
• There was uproar over the hundreds of ducks that landed in one of the reservoirs and died
• Water contamination is a problem

Front 21

Stupid to the last drop (2/4)

Back 21

• Coal bed methane development is expanding at a tremendous rate and is poisoning and depleting the underground aquifers upon which 90% of Alberta residents depend on
• The destruction of Abs environment is further exacerbated by global warming. To which tar sands is Canada’s worst contributor.
• Scientists have established that the 20th century was the wettest in the 2000 years.
• Former premier Ralph Klein gutted the Alberta Department of Environment and saw to it that any environmental regulating agencies were stacked in favor of oil companies.

Front 22

Stupid to the last drop (3/4)

Back 22

• Health Canada and the Alberta Department of Health have repeatedly lied to the public: they lied about the cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan, a small community north of Fort McMurray; they buried reports on arsenic levels in moose meat and marsh plants; and on environmental problems their studies of environmental problems were unbelievably slipshod.
• Dr. John O’Connor, a physician based in Fort Chipewyan, challenged the government on their misrepresentation.
• the amount of revenue flowing to the Alberta government from the entire petroleum industry is a small fraction of what other oil-producing jurisdictions receive.

Front 23

Stupid to the last drop (4/4)

Back 23

• Meanwhile, inflation has ravaged Alberta: house prices and rents are beyond the reach of people with average incomes.
• Homelessness has become endemic.
• Inflation is worst in Fort McMurray, where the government puts the poverty line at $60,000 per couple or $93,000 per family.
• Based on Alberta’s current fiscal forecast, the province’s debt will reach $8.66 billion by the end of fiscal year 2013-14, and $17.001 billion by the end of fiscal year 2015-16.
• If Canada taxed its citizens the way Norway does, Campbell figures there would be another $200 billion annually flowing into government coffers.

Front 24

Ethical Oil (1/2)

Back 24

• Economic and energy opportunities
• If Alberta doesn’t supply energy, other countries will get it elsewhere
• Industry in Canada does rebuild any land it disturbs
• Environmental impact isn’t as big as it seems
• oil-sands petroleum is ethically superior to petroleum produced by countries such as Saudi Arabia and Venezuela and other regimes with dubious environmental and human rights records.
• By comparison, he argues, Canada is environmentally responsible, peaceful, offers its workers fair wages and respects human rights.
• Renewable energy kills jobs. Each Green job killed 2.2 in the economy
• The oil sands account for one-10th of 1% —of total global greenhouse gas emissions.
• Close to 90% of the water used in the oil sands is recycled. Working to develop new technologies to deal with tailings.

Front 25

Ethical Oil (2/2)

Back 25

Jobs, revenue and public income justify the hefty environmental costs. He argues oil sands aren’t just an economic asset, but an ethical one as well, a source of energy that can displace the theocratic and misogynistic crude of the Middle East, the gangster oil of Russia and the authoritarian petroleum of China. “Every drop of oil from Alberta is one less drop from some fascist theocracy, or some brutal warlord; one less cent into the treasuries of Russia’s secret police and al-Qaeda’s murderers.”

Front 26

What were your 3 favorite 5 minute presentations this year and please explain why.

Back 26

Camp Life – Jeffrey Stephenson. It was comical, well informed, and honest. It provided harsh insight into the reality of making “great money up north” (weight gain, emotional strain, lifestyle, availability of drugs etc.)

Cuba – Gloria Chavez. I enjoyed hearing about a country’s positive strives towards a smaller ecological footprint. Especially in comparison to Canada’s. I was unaware that a country was capable of having such a small ecological footprint while being scaled as one of the happiest countries.

Disastrous Oil Spills – Lauren. Useful information to know for the exam. Well laid out. Simple facts. Presentation was easy to follow.