Disadvantages Of Tar Sands To Canada

Despite the benefits that the tar sands bring to Canadians, they are destructive to the environment. One of the biggest disadvantages of the oil sands production is the negative effects it has on the earth’s environment. One of the largest sources of carbon dioxide emissions in Canada is due to the tar sands since they require a lot of energy to be produced. The energy needed in this production is to transport the sand, then break it apart and then heating water to separate the bitumen from the sand. All these activities that require energy produce greenhouse gas emissions. The massive amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere contributes greatly on the earth’s climate change and its global warming. In addition, the oil sands development
also has a negative impact on water. Since water is used to separate the bitumen from the oil sands, the waste is stupendous. The extraction of the bitumen requires a greater amount of water than the amount of oil is produced. Fresh water is the main type of water that is used in these extractions. The large quantity of water being used in the development of tar sands is leading to the disruption of water flows, drying wetlands and threatening living beings around the wetlands. The tar sands developments are also polluting the lakes in Alberta with toxins. The production of bitumen requires the use of water and once the water is used, it will contain toxic elements. This toxic water must be disposed therefore they are released in tailing ponds. The toxins presents in these tailing ponds travel and intoxicate the surrounding environment which can have a negative effect on the living beings around it. The tar sands production isn’t ideal for maintaining a clean and healthy environment.