Canada is abundant with natural resources, resources that humans use in every aspect of their lives. Whether it is lumber for furniture or stone for streets or housing, this environment is well equipped to meet the Canadian citizens every need. One very good example of this would be the Alberta oil sands in the Northeastern part of Alberta, more commonly known as the Alberta scar sands for the astronomical effect it has on Canada's environment ("The Alberta Oil Sands" n.pag). Giving it that fitting name from our relentless pursuit of the fossil fuels hidden under the sands, and without any doubt scaring the land for decades to come, this essay will try to divulge the meaning and reason behind having the oil sands active. Just how greatly this ongoing project is affecting the environment and what possible ways can reduce the current ecological footprint and install a more eco-friendly way to retrieve the oil. The Alberta oil sands are more of a problem than a solution to any current issues.
It is a widely known fact that fresh water is in high demand but in short supply, public use is monitored and kept under the maximum level. In Alberta fresh water is being drained from lakes and rivers to support the vast number of factories that mine the crude oil from the sands there (Tar sands and water, 1). The fresh water is used to separate the oil from the clay and sand. In the Athabasca River alone 370 million cubic metres of water is used every year, and nearly twice that amount from the city of Calgary yearly (Tar sands and water, 1). After use the water is contaminated and is no longer drinkable or safe to be put into environments, then the water is dumped into holes drilled into the ground for the excavation of oil and is then placed back into the water cycle, in the end, that's only causing many more environmental issues. Yet, even more, contaminated water was found in nearby ponds, rivers lakes etc; ecosystems with these pollutants are unhealthy and lacking any form of biodiversity (Tar sands and water, 1).