Environmental Effects of Alberta Oil Sands Essay Example

Due to the detrimental environmental effects of Alberta oil sands, I firmly believe that these negative impacts, caused by three times more released greenhouse gas emissions, outweigh any economical benefits. 

I understand that everyone has their respectable views of this issue due to their current standard of living. To elaborate, some individuals could currently be working in the oil industry, therefore thriving financially and affording more luxuries for themselves and others, thus improving their overall quality of life. Because of this, people in this situation would hate to give up such a financially stable lifestyle. However, although I understand this perspective, I truly believe that the environment, and our planet's health should be everyone’s first priority. I mean, we live on Earth, and without it we wouldn’t exist, so shouldn’t we make an effort to preserve it and increase future generations to experience life as well? In my opinion, we should. Even if there are extreme economical benefits, that doesn’t mean everyone in Canada is accumulating more money. To expand the Canadian oil sand industry, there are many projects that occur to actually acquire the oil. To expand itself, it requires land. This land they use tends to be uninhabited healthy land, and even local and Indigenous communities. 

There are even health impacts as a result of Alberta oil sands. According to thelancet.com, people who are residents of the oil sands region, have experienced negative health effects. These residents, located in Peace River, have been reporting side effects such as headaches, dizziness, muscle spasms, and even vomiting due to the pollution. A 60 year-old resident inherited a severe sinus infection, constant headaches, and throat congestion, developing so severe he was left no choice but to move out. He even lost 40 lbs due to the emissions. Another strong opinion I have is that everyone's health-related quality of life, surpasses the priority of luxury-driven quality of life. Health is more important than wealth.

 To revisit how oil sands affect the environment, the Alberta oil sands are the definition of an unsustainable development. The land surface mining is using ecosystems like forests, wetlands, and peatlands, all being destroyed to facilitate rich people’s paychecks. I am aware that our society does need a healthy economy, however there are proper solutions to provide Canada with sustainable development. These are techniques such as habitat conservation. With this practice, only a portion of an ecosystem would be cut at one time. Rotating these cuts ensure that essential habitats like birds, fish, etc. is maintained. 

Overall, even though there are noticeable economical benefits as a result of Alberta oil sands, the negative environmental and health impacts outweigh them.