Author of book on Alberta Tar Sands to speak in Charlottetown
The Guardian
The public is invited to hear Tony Clarke, director of the Polaris Institute in Ottawa, speak on his latest book, Tar Sands Showdown, at 7:30 p.m., Monday, in Room 205 of the Murphy Community Centre, Richmond Street, Charlottetown.
Clarke’s new book, released Oct. 24, offers a comprehensive picture of what is happening with the tar sands and what is likely to be its future.
He asks what is at stake long-term for the Canadian nation, which now outsells Saudi Arabia as a foreign oil supplier to the United States.
Canada has now become the No. 1 foreign oil source for the United States and the tar sands have the possibility of increasing that output by 4-5 times in the next 15 years.
According to Clarke, the tar sands have become the new backbone of Canada’s economy.
“They are bound to define and shape Canada’s role and destiny as a nation in the 21st century. As the development of the tar sands proceeds there is a lack of independent, reliable information and analysis on a host of questions the project raises. What are the real costs to Albertans and to Canadians and how far are we willing to go to fuel the U.S. oil addiction?”
Clarke believes questions need to be raised about the ecological and social impact of the Alberta Tar Sands as well as the building of an alternative energy future in an age of global warming.
Tar Sands Showdown provides a tool for stimulating thought, public discussion and debate about important questions that beg to be dealt with by citizens and policy-makers.
Clarke is founder and director of the Polaris Institute, an organization dedicated to developing tools and strategies for civic action on major policy issues, including energy security, water rights and free trade.
He holds a doctorate from the University of Chicago, has written numerous books and is the recipient of Sweden’s Right Livelihood Award, the “alternative Nobel Prize.” Among his most recent books is Blue Gold: The Fight to Stop the Corporate Theft of the World’s Water, co-authored with Maude Barlow.
Lecture sponsors include the MacKillop Centre for Social Justice, Development and Peace and the Public Service Alliance of Canada. For further information, call 892-9074.
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Ken Chapman from Edmonton, Alberta writes: Great to see the national interest in the oil sands and discussions about how to be better at a sustainable and responsible development process. I blog on oil sands issues from time to time and think this link may interest your readers.
http://ken-chapman.blogspot.com/2008/08/suncor-ceo-rick-george-joins.html
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