Developing Oil from Canadian Tar Sands Could Kill 160 Million Migratory Birds by 2038
Extraction and refining heavy oil from Canadian tar sands will have increasingly devastating impacts on migratory bird populations, according to a new study.
According to a new report, the cumulative impact of developing Canadian tar sands over the next 30–50 years could be as high as 166 million birds lost, including future generations. Written by scientists from the Natural Resources Defense Council, Boreal Songbird Initiative, and Pembina Institute, the peer-reviewed paper suggests that avian mortality from continued development of Canada’s tar sands would provide a serious blow to migratory bird populations in North America.
“This report is yet another wake up call to the government in Alberta, as it confirms that the cumulative impact of oil sands development is on an unsustainable trajectory,” said Pembina Institute’s Simon Dyer, a contributing author to the report.
It is estimated that half of America’s migratory birds nest in the Boreal forest, and each year 22–170 million birds breed in the area that could eventually be developed for tar sands oil if the rate of development continues at it is currently planned.
“At a time when bird populations are rapidly declining, this report puts into perspective the far reaching effects of tar sands oil development on North America’s birds,” said the report’s lead author Jeff Wells, Ph.D. of the Boreal Songbird Initiative. “The public needs to understand the real and long-term ecological costs of this development and determine if this is acceptable,” added Wells.
In Alberta, tar sands mining and drilling causes significant habitat loss and fragmentation. Expansive toxic tailings ponds are protected by propane cannons that are used to keep ducks from landing in them.
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it is a shame that the government of alberta is taking these isssue silly,which should be hihly concerned i think they are interest about the short term economic gainsc rather than huge environmenatal issues
[...] published at Red, Green, and Blue] According to a new report, the cumulative impact of developing Canadian tar sands over the next [...]
Viable alternatives ? Like ???
Corn to Ethanol ? any idea how many hundreds of MILLIONS of acres would be required ?
Biofuels ? Again how many hundreds of millions of acres aka bird habitat …
spend some money to help the birds … use the oil, save the humans …
to hell with you luddites …
[...] BIRDS: Iceland Puffin Threatened, Developing Oil from Canadian Tar Sands Could Kill 160 Million Migratory Birds by 2038 [...]
[...] that our situation is different than the Americans’ (basically language used to ensure the oil sand projects aren’t crippled). Will their voices actually be heard south of the border during the design of [...]
Mad Max is starting to look more and more likely.
pintomp3, Whatever lets you sleep at night.
You must be kidding , projecting far ahead in the future is nonsense.
Many things chage in 30 years.
[...] and a hydraulic mining shovel. The protest is intended to show that the utilisation of Canada’s oilsands desposits is a contributor to worsening climate [...]