In Context: 5 Web Perspectives On A Story In The News

Oil sands: crude or just plain dirty?

(CBC)

With a new climate change treaty looking less and less likely, Canada's focus has shifted away from Copenhagen and back to Alberta. Minister of National Resources Lisa Raitt met with American business and political leaders in New York last week with the intentions of convincing them that Alberta's oil sands are the best option to meet the U.S.'s growing energy needs. However, as the CBC's Bob McDonald observes, this could be a step backwards: instead of taking action on climate change, Canada is looking at ways to promote its ‘dirty root.' Here are five perspectives on Alberta's gritty gold.

1.

Government of Alberta: oil sands

Government of Alberta
The Alberta government's website explains the resource they have on their hands. Alberta sits on the largest oil reserve in the world outside of Saudi Arabia, and it is hoping to boost production to about 3 million barrels a day by 2018. Their website contains oil sand related publication, legislation and policy documents, and details their ongoing projects.

2.

Tar Sands Watch: Polaris Institute's energy program

Tar Sands Watch
Tar sands watch is a campaign launched by the Polaris Institute, an enivironmental organization promoting citizen action. It is calling for a moratorium on the expansion of the oil sands industry, citing grave environmental consequences. Their site details - and has plenty of information on - the impact that oil sands can have on greenhouse gas emissions, water depletion, energy security and aboriginal rights.

3.

Oil sands truth

Oil Sands Truth
Oil Sands Truth is an aggregating website dedicated specifically to bitumen-related news, both national and international. Their goal is to ‘disseminate information regarding the environmental, social and economic impacts of the oil sands.' Among their resources, they have interactive maps, and an extensive list of curated articles sorted by topic - including categories such as corruption, gender and forests.

4.

Oil Sands Review

Oil Sands Review
Oil Sands Review is a trade publication that provides up-to-date information on the sands from an industry perspective. They provide lists and reviews of some of the major oil sands suppliers as well as perspectives on the debate over whether the industry is reconcilable with an environmental agenda. The site also provides statistics on the cost of operations, expenditures and other related projects.

5.

Stats Canada: Canada’s Crude Petroleum Industry

Statistics Canada
This report, published by Statistics Canada, details Canada's petroleum industry as a whole, oil sands included. According to the report, 42% of Alberta's petroleum comes from the sands, with about 1 million barrels produced daily. The province is the main supplier and exporter of oil in Canada, and the report says that the oil sands industry is only becoming more accessible and lucrative.