Oil Sands: Reliable Energy?

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Oil Sands: Reliable Energy? Or Just a Money Mine? The technology which many are revolved around in today’s society is reaching a point of energy turmoil, where people do not even realize the amount of energy wasted on non-efficient tasks. What goes on behind the scene is more drastic, than what is seen by the naked eye of innocence. These technological developments such as computers, cars, heating systems, etc., all use a form of energy. Whether it be from renewable energy resources such as wind-mills, and solar panels, or from non-renewable and hazardous resources such as petroleum, or oil form the oil sands. Citizens often approach the cheaper option, thus purchasing cars which run on petroleum, rather than vehicles which run on electricity.…show more content…
Referring to the Canadian Energy Research Institute, it has become evident that oil sands have impacted nearly every community within Canada, exponentially increasing the need for new job opportunities and economic growth. Since Alberta has one of the largest oil reserves within Canada, the petroleum industry has impacted “…over 239,000 Albertans”(Canada’s Industry 2012). However, with a closer eye on the impact of oil sands on the economy, it is proven that these oil sands provide jobs outside the country as well. Such as the services, and materials which are used in the construction of oil sands, come from not only across Canada, but also form many other foreign countries. Many components are needed for a process which seems so simple. Such as the transportation of goods, imports and exports of necessary materials to accomplish tasks, etc. Statistics show, that oil sands “currently effect the jobs of 12 000 Canadians, and this is expected to grow over 500 000 jobs over the next 25 years” (Canada’s Industry 2012). The oil sands provide great room for exponential growth in Canada’s economy, and international relationships with other…show more content…
Consequently for every barrel of oil, there are 5 barrels of water consumed within the process. The oil sands have also led to the complications of social problems within Alberta. Such as housing crisis’s, due to the large expansion of new foreign workers. Nonetheless due to the implications of constructing oil reserves, it has caused much wildlife to disperse. This is significant, because if one species of animals departs, it causes the food cycle to be rearranged endangering the lives of multiple living organisms. They provide one of Canada’s largest negative impacts on the environment, releasing poisonous carbon dioxide emissions which are getting out of control. If these greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced it can result in the melting of polar ice caps in the Arctic. These oil sands are not only poising the air which we inhale, but also numerous waterways, food supplies, and if this process continues, possibly endangering the extinction of species. Green House Gas emissions are relatively caused by exponential increases in carbon molecules within the Earth’s atmosphere. By examining where these large amounts of carbon dioxide are emerging from, “40 percent of Canada’s emissions are coming from Alberta alone” (Oil Sands Truth 2012). This is a significant amount, because since Alberta has one of the largest oil reserves, that is one of the primary reasons for such an increase in CO2 emissions, in relation to the other provinces within

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