Tar Sands

Now we're talking about fuel, there's another black horror story besides coal that we have to fight - oil from tar sands in Alberta. Oil from this enormously dirty source is evidently a major portion of the oil we use in this country, not oil from Saudi Arabia. So it is worth our attention - and another reason to support Josh in his search for sustainable biofuels (see the next 3 postings.)

Here is a link to more information, and a protest to President Obama to ask that we not play a part in destroying Alberta forests, homeland to Native Americans. Here is a short excerpt to show what it is all about:

On February 19, President Obama travels to Canada on his first presidential visit abroad, where he will face pressure from the Government of Canada to support production of Alberta tar sands oil. Called oil sands by proponents, tar sands are the very dirtiest of fossil fuels. Producing oil from tar sands emits three times the global warming pollution as conventional oil, requires excessive amounts of energy and fresh water, and destroys huge swaths of ancient boreal forest.

Tar sands development is the most ecologically destructive project in the world. When fully developed, along with its vast proposed pipeline network, tar sands will indefinitely continue North America's addiction to climate destroying fossil fuels, ensuring abrupt and runaway climate change exceeds safe levels. There is virtually no chance of maintaining an operable atmosphere and achieving global ecological sustainability should tar sands production continue or expand.

"Tar sands oil is the dirtiest form of energy in the world. It has no place in President Obama's plans for a clean energy economy," said Sierra Club Dirty Fuels Campaign Coordinator Pat Gallagher. "Tar sands oil accelerates global warming. It destroys forests. It endangers public health. Instead of importing this expensive, dirty oil, we can invest in clean energy that will create millions of much-needed, sustainable jobs."

With the passage of the stimulus bill, numerous companies have projects which were waiting to be financed are ready to get sustainable energy out there to the people, including the company I have been supporting (virtually) for 2 years during its search for financing. If you want to be in line for rental solar panels, just go to Join The Solution and sign up. (Because of the financial stop, you'll still have to wait a while, but things are going to be moving very quickly now!