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Oil Sands 101
Welcome to Oil Sands 101.
This will introduce you to some of the major controversies presented by the Oil Sands Industry.
As a group we will begin by creating a list of the things that you already know about the oil sands.
This is a quick series of background information and videos to introduce you to the oil sands. You may want to make some notes on each link using these questions to decide on the specialist's role you want to pursue.
What did you learn? What do you want to learn more about?
Background Information
The Athabasca Oil Sands, in northeastern Alberta, are large deposits of bitumen, a molasses-like viscous oil that will not flow unless heated or diluted. Alberta’s oil sands contain one of the biggest known reserves of oil in the world, second only to Saudi Arabia. An estimated 1.7 to 2.5 trillion barrels of oil are trapped in this complex mixture of sand, water and clay.
Over the years, government and industry have worked together to find innovative and economic ways to extract and process the oil sands and energy research is more important today than ever before. Working in collaboration with different consulting firms, the Alberta government is committed to a collaborative approach to spur new technology and innovation programs that will reduce the impact of greenhouse gases and other emissions, and reduce the consumption of water and gas.
retrieved from: http://oilsandswebquest.wordpress.com/introduction/
The oil sands are also a great stimulant for the economy here in Alberta. The oil sands employ a large number of Canadians, which proceeds to stimulate the economy in Alberta allowing for the government to place more money towards other expenditures such as infastructure. The oil sands are also a great source oil that is used to create so many things that we use today that we often don't realize come from oil. A great example of this cosmetics, all plastic products such as water bottles, plastic food containers, and a variety of other products. Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYwHR9yb0IM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro0LWXPlTSA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lndabgi3y20
Now that you are up to date with the oil sands information inform the Conference Organizer (teacher) what role you would like, and continue to research. Scroll down to head to the Specialist's Workshops to continue your research. ______________________________________________________________________ Specialist Workshops
Industry Leaders
Welcome Industry Leaders! You, along with your fellow teammates, have been recruited to present an ‘Economical’ perspective to defending a positon on this hot-button topic. Here is some information to get you started. It is your job to ensure that this perspective will be represented and taken under consideration when designing your committee presentation for the conference.
Focusing Questions:
Why do we need the oil sands?
What products come from the oil industry?
What is the industry currently doing to lessen their environmental impact?
What are the economic benefits of the oil sands?
Resources:
http://www.oilsands.alberta.ca/
http://www.energy.gov.ab.ca/OurBusiness/oilsands.asp
http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ns/lmi/workplace/jobs/abta/abta.shtml
Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGx5_2IYZ4Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcXdLCjzy8s
___________________________________________________________________________ Environmental Scientists
Welcome Environmental Scientists! You, along with your fellow teammates, have been recruited to present a ‘Green’ perspective to defending a position on this hot-button topic. Here is some information to get you started. It is your job to ensure that this perspective will be represented and taken under consideration when designing the presentation for the conference.
Focusing Questions:
What kind of an impact are the oil sands having on the environment?
What do you think the oils sands industry needs to do to lessen their environmental footprint?
Should we stop the oil sands industry completely? Why or Why not?
Resources:
http://www.energybulletin.net/node/50186
http://oilsandstruth.org/
http://one-blue-marble.com/alberta-tar-sands2.html
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at2Z3Hku750&feature=fvst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5aXo87N6nU&feature=fvst
__________________________________________________________________________ Aboriginal Advocates
Welcome Aboriginal Advocates! You, along with your fellow teammates, have been recruited to present an ‘Aboriginal’ perspective to defending a position on this hot-button topic. Here is some information to get you started. It is your job to ensure that this perspective will be represented and taken under consideration when designing the presentation for the conference.
Focusing Questions:
How are aboriginals specifically being affected by the oil sands industry
What are some aboriginal views on the relationship between the earth and her people?
Resources:
http://oilsandstruth.org/topics/social-impacts
http://www.pembina.org/pub/2083 (download the pdf)
Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwTHy6-d7ss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU7MGaxLRJk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxMmvS7MJmc
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