Many of you were likely surprised to see an article in the Globe
and Mail this past Sunday that cited a recent study by world-
renown climate scientist, Dr. Andrew Weaver, on the impact on
global warming of the Alberta tar sands vs. the world's coal
reserve. Surprised that is, because the article left the
impression that Dr. Weaver's work gives carte blanches to
unrestricted oil development in Canada. It would be a huge
mistake to interpret our results as some kind of a "get out of
jail free" card for the tar sands. While coal is the greatest
threat to the climate globally, the tar sands remain the largest
source of greenhouse gas emission growth in Canada and are the
single largest reason Canada is failing to meet its
international climate commitments and failing to be a climate
leader. The world needs to transition away from fossil fuels if
it wants to avoid dangerous human interference with the climate
system. That means coal, unconventional gas, and unconventional
oil all need to be addressed.