DeSmog

Facebook-f X-twitter
Subscribe
Donate
Donate

DeSmog

Donate
Search
Search

Hundreds of Migratory Ducks Trapped on Toxic Oil Sands Pond

authordefault
By Terrance Berg
on

If the fact that the Alberta Oil Sands are the largest point source of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada isn’t enough to get you to stand up and take notice, maybe the ducks trapped and dying in the toxic tailing pondsย will.

The oil sands are licensed to use more fresh water in a year than the entire City of Calgary (about the same size as Austin, Texas) and 90% of that fresh water ends up in massive tailing ponds, so large that that they are considered one of the largest human-made structures in theย world.

Bad news for our fresh water, the global climate and apparently,ย ducks.

It is being reported today that โ€œhundreds of migrating birds are dying after landing on a tailings pond in northern Alberta owned by Syncrude,โ€ one of the largest players in the Alberta oilย patch.

Environment officials said the birds are โ€œclearly heavily oiledโ€ and are not able toย fly.

This all coming at the same time that the Alberta Government has launched a $25 million PR offensive to dispel the โ€œmythsโ€ surrounding the environmental impacts the Alberta Oil Sands are having on ourย planet.

By Terrance Berg

Related Posts

Opinion
Q & A: The Climate Crisis as a Crisis of Modern Men
ByMatthew Green
on

Indra Andan, founder of The Alternative Global, says new forms of masculinity are emerging to challenge the patriarchal models at the root of the ecological crisis.

Indra Andan, founder of The Alternative Global, says new forms of masculinity are emerging to challenge the patriarchal models at the root of the ecological crisis.
Analysis
uk/How Will Reform Rule Affect Local Climate Policy?
ByAdam Barnett
on

Farageโ€™s party has shown over the last year that it will attempt to block and reverse clean energy initiatives in its new councils.

Farageโ€™s party has shown over the last year that it will attempt to block and reverse clean energy initiatives in its new councils.
Series: Defending Democracy from Dirty Money
Series: Defending-UK-Democracy
Event | Off the Record: How to Talk to Journalists, Lawyers, and Activist Organizations
ByDeSmog
on

Join a May 19 discussion on how advertising and PR professionals can help journalists hold the industry to account, featuring DeSmog investigative reporters.

Join a May 19 discussion on how advertising and PR professionals can help journalists hold the industry to account, featuring DeSmog investigative reporters.
Oil Pipelines Align With Jesus, Danielle Smith Tells Christian Leaders
ByMary Stuart and Geoff Dembicki
on

The Alberta premier gave a biblical justification for oil expansion at a Christian conference featuring Conservative MPs and provincial cabinet ministers.

The Alberta premier gave a biblical justification for oil expansion at a Christian conference featuring Conservative MPs and provincial cabinet ministers.