No disrespect intended but...

The hyperbole and selective gnashing of teeth over Alberta oil sands and carbon emissions, etc. is patently absurd. And yes, Virginia, it’s called “oil sands” and not “tar sands” – unless your objective is to taint the argument from the outset. We humans do need to develop alternatives to petroleum-derived energy, and we will, but we simply do not have the technology to eliminate carbon-based generation just yet. There simply is no better alternative for providing the energy needs of the developed and developing world that can supplant the energy density and relatively low cost of oil and its derivatives.

It’s also worth noting that the Alberta contribution to global carbon emissions is in the single digit percentage range, and even if we were able to simply hit the “stop” button and turn off all production on the oil sands overnight, the output from nations like China, the U.S., India, Brazil, etc. would continue unabated. What about them?

It’s time to gain some perspective, and well past time to accept that “green” opponents of Alberta’s energy industry are so vocal and belligerent because Canada is, well, Canada. We are a safe target of their vituperative wrath. Why are so many of the anti-oil sands groups not making the same protests against China, Nigeria, South Africa, or Venezuela, et al? The truth is they are able to do so because Canada is not likely to round them all up and throw them in a prison somewhere to rail against the wind… although there is room on Baffin Island.

More reading:

http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/sands+misguided+critics/5799633/story.html