After doing preliminary research about Alberta's oil sands I have discovered great amounts of information explaining the harmful affects that these oil sands have on our environment. 

A number of communities in the area of the Alberta Tar Sands were interviewed regarding some of the changes they have noticed due to harmful greenhouse gas emissions from oil extraction. The extraction of oil has contaminated nearby water systems. These contaminated lakes and ponds have leaked into the local river system, the Athabasca River, which acts as a main water source for communities in the area. Citizens of Fort Chipewyan, located downstream of Fort McMurray, mentioned noticeable defects being seen in the marine life of these water sources.

The marine life are not the only ones who are showing health affects. There have been two recent government reviews which have proved that people of Fort Chipewyan has become at higher risk for a very rare, Bile Duct cancer. Over the past 10 years, Fort Chipewyan has seen 5 cases of Bile Duct cancer.

The Alberta Tar Sands produce great amounts of toxic sludge which is harmful for our environment and they use excess amounts of water to extract the oil. Oil may be an important key to our energy sources, but clean water and air is an important key to our survival.

In order to increase the extraction of oil and expand the company, deforestation and ground disturbance must occur.

There has to be a more efficient way to extract oil in the Alberta Tar Sands. The Canadian Government and large oil companies must focus on investing money into finding ways to make this possible. Our planet is getting destroyed day after day and someone needs to make a change. We don't need to shut down oil extraction, but we can slowly begin to make a change and reduce the harmful affects on our environment.

Lets help to save our world rather than destroy it for our future generation.