The boreal forest in northeastern Alberta has been home to some of the most intense industrial activity in human history. The rush to develop the oilsands and feed the demand for transportation fuels is not unlike the gold rush fever of the 19th century. The oilsands rush is exceeding the ability of the environment and society to absorb the impacts.
"Alberta desperately needs a vision, and a plan to implement the vision," says Dr. Mary Griffiths, who will represent the Pembina Institute at the first of a series of province-wide Oilsands Multi-Stakeholder Panel public input sessions in Bonnyville today (see http://www.oilsandsconsultations.gov.ab.ca/ for details).
"The government is asking for a vision, and we have one," says Griffiths, a Senior Policy Advisor with the Pembina Institute. "Our vision sees development of the oilsands at a pace and scale that respects the capacity of regional ecosystems, including air and water. Global climate change is addressed by achieving deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The oilsands resource is developed to optimize the economic benefit to the public owners of the resource and to continuously improve the quality of life of all Albertans, now and for future generations."
Griffiths sets out specific steps needed to achieve that vision. They are as follows:
Implementation of regional plans that limit the cumulative impacts of development on air, land and water. The plans should include a network of protected areas and wildlife corridors within the boreal forest.
Establishment of protective thresholds that will not be crossed. These should ensure maintenance of adequate flows in rivers, groundwater protection, air quality and conservation of wildlife habitat and species.
Short-term targets to reduce and offset greenhouse gas emissions and a requirement that oilsands operations be carbon neutral by 2020.
A fair royalty regime so that Albertans are adequately compensated for the development of the oilsands resource.
Continuous improvement of quality of life, which means ensuring not only a sustainable financial contribution from oilsands development but also investment in energy efficiency and in the production and distribution of sustainable forms of energy for future generations of Albertans, and recognition of the value of clean air, fresh water and a healthy environment.
As lead author of the Pembina Institute's report Troubled Waters, Troubling Trends, Griffiths will highlight some of the issues relating to the use of fresh water for oilsands extraction.
"We really need to play catch up if we are to develop this resource sustainably," says Griffiths. "Development has been so fast that the province has insufficient baseline data to even accurately measure the impacts of change."
The Pembina Institute urges Albertans to attend the consultation sessions and/or file their comments online (see http://www.oilsandsconsultations.gov.ab.ca/).
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For more information:
Mary Griffiths: cell 780-915-9771 (calls will be answered between noon and 1:00 p.m. and between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.)
Chris Severson-Baker: cell 403-899-7423
Read Mary Griffiths' presentation to the Committee