Albertan Tar Sands: Podcast 1

In terms of oil, we are more dependent on Canada than on Saudi-Arabia. 20 % of our oil imports comes from Canada, and more than half of that is produced from the oil sands in the Albertan boreal forest. We are by far the largest consumer of oil sands and it is our increasing demand for oil that is driving the oil sands developments in Alberta.

Some consider this close source from a friendly neighbor a blessing, others think oil sands production is a terrible idea that should be nipped in the bud while we still can. Albertan oil sands production is a hot topic in both Canada and the US because of the increased level of carbon emissions associated with its production and oil upgrading, and the proposed construction of a new pipeline from the oil sands to the Mid-west.

To make sense of this debate and contribute to it, we visited Ft McMurray, an oil town in the midst of the developments, as guests of the American Petroleum Institute (API). The result is a series of podcasts featuring government officials, industry, environmental organizations and yours truly.

Join us for the first podcast in this series, which provides a gentle introduction to this fascinating and controversial topic.