tar sands,pipelines & super tankers moving to resolution
TRANSCRIPT
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Tar Sands,Pipelines & Super
Tankers – Moving to Resolution
April 15, 2013 – 1 to 2:30 pm EDT Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Hilda Swirsky, President
June Kaminski, President Elect
Fiona Hanley, Past President
Jessica Madrid, Secretary
Shelly Archibald, Communications
Canadian Nurses for
Health and the Environment
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Table of Contents
Topic Section Name Duration
1. Introduction to the Issue 15 mins
2. Why should we be concerned? 30 mins
3. What can WE do about it? 30 mins
4. Q and A 15 mins
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
PART 1:
Introduction to the
Issue
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Background of Canadian
Nurses for Health and the
Environment
The Canadian Nurses for Health and the
Environment - Infirmieres et Infirmiers pour la
Sante et l'Environnement (CNHE/IISE)
represents Registered Nurses dedicated to
the improvement of environmental health
across all domains of nursing practice, policy,
research and education.
During CNA’s Biennial in 2007; CNA received funding to second a
project manager Nicki Sims Jones for a year and put out a
national call to nurses interested in the environment
CNA’s Environmental Health Reference Group
Nicki was fantastic in shaping the group and guiding us to
important environmental literature and readings
With CNA’s support, members of this initial
Environmental Health Reference Group formed a
subcommittee and created the Constitution and
Bylaws to founding CNA’s new emerging interest
group: the Canadian Nurses for Health and the
Environment. Since then, CNHE has evolved to
become an Associate Group of CNA.
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
TAR SANDS, PIPELINES, AND
SUPER TANKERS
One of the hottest environmental issues in the
Canadian and global consciousness this year
involves three key proposed new projects
• Enbridge Northern Gateway
• Kinder Morgan Transmountain Expansion
• Keystone XL Pipeline
Introduction to the Issue
Three key threats are enfolded in this issue:
TAR SAND DRILLING and expansion in
Alberta that will elevate the toxic aerial and
terrestrial pollution, and increase
greenhouse gas emissions;
The installation of long dual PIPELINES
from Alberta to Kitimat on the northern
British Columbia coast, and another to
Vancouver & more in the Prairies and
Eastern provinces
The demand for enormous SUPER
TANKERS to carry the thick new oil from
rugged northern British Columbia and
Vancouver to Asia and the USA
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
A dangerous proposal opposed by many Canadians
The Enbridge Northern Gateway 4.5 billion dollar proposal states that
they want to pump over half a million barrels a day of unrefined bitumen
from the Alberta Tar Sands in Bruderheim, Alberta over the Rocky
Mountain range, through the wild and pristine expanse of northern British
Columbia which includes close to a thousand rivers and lesser
waterways, through the Great Spirit Rainforest, to the coastal town of
Kitimat. Along the way, several towns and cities would be in harm’s way,
including Morinville, Mayerthorpe, Whitecourt, Fox Creek, and Grande
Prairie in Alberta and Bear Lake, Tumbler Ridge, Prince George, Fort St
James, Vanderhoof, Burns Lake, Houston, Smithers, Terrace, and
Kitimat in BC. From there, super tankers would navigate through very
dangerous and tight channels along the wild BC coast to carry the toxic
sludge to processing plants for refinement.
The risks to the health of Canadians and the natural environment are far too high!
ENBRIDGE NORTHERN GATEWAY In the Western Provinces
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
False Marketing to Placate the Public
“The Enbridge Northern Gateway proposal would build
two parallel pipelines from Alberta's tar sands to BC's
north coast. If approved, the pipelines would traverse
the salmon-bearing Upper Fraser and Skeena
watersheds, and would bring 225 oil tankers a year to
BC's northern coastal waters.” (Dogwood Initiative)
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
ENBRIDGE EASTERN ACCESS In the Eastern Provinces
Enbridge’s Light Oil Market Access plan
would pipe oil across Saskatchewan to US
The Eastern Access plan focuses on fixing
& reusing existing lines (Line 9) to pipe
dirty oil across Ontario and Quebec to
Montreal
Potentially, further pipelines could carry
the oil across all of Quebec to Saint
Johns, New Brunswick
Several other partnerships are being
planned with US companies that all
involve some aspect of Canada in the
process of transport
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
ENBRIDGE PLANS FOR LINE 9
THREATENING THE EASTERN PROVINCES
Four oil spills occurred this past week and 800 occur each year
Oil companies are driving energy policies
Line 9, existing pipeline that is same age and material as pipeline that
spilled into Kalamazoo River in Michigan
Line 9 crosses all tributaries that go into Great Lakes and many
communities
Canada is doing the most to increase greenhouse gases and a lot to
sabotage other countries efforts
Oil is liquid but tar is solid
Ontario government has asked for environmental assessment
Has also had CN Rail spills of oil
Line 9 group also fighting in Montreal
Gaining momentum and educational sessions vital
In the Eastern Provinces
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
ENBRIDGE EASTERN ACCESS
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
KINDER MORGAN
TRANSMOUNTAIN PIPELINE
Threatening Southern parts of BC and Alberta
This 4.1 billion dollar project involves another threat to the Alberta
and BC people and environment by increasing the pipeline
transport from 300,000 barrels per day to 750,000 barrels per day,
This pipeline would expand the transport of dirty oil across several
mountain ranges, to the southwestern BC coast, ending its route
through the suburban Vancouver area. The increased super tanker
traffic would mean higher risk along the entire Burrard Inlet,
necessitating navigation through swift currents, under two bridges,
then around the series of islands that lie between the mainland
coastline and the open Pacific waters.
In the Western Provinces
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
NORTH AMERICAN THREAT
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Public Disapproval is Growing Quickly
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
PART 2:
Why should we be
concerned?
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
This is a HEALTH and
SOCIAL JUSTICE issue!
• Destruction of ecosystem
• Boreal forest destruction
• Wildlife effects
• Air pollution levels due to Sulfur
dioxide(SO2) hydrogen sulfides, nitrous
oxide(NOx) , particulates, PAHs
• Ground water contamination
• Freon leaks
fires
Tar sand Oil EXTRACTION,
TRANSPORT, and USE pose major
threats to human and ecosystem health
Violations of aboriginal rights
Nurses have a strong tradition of being
advocates for environmental and
occupational health, as well as social
justice
This issue has implications at the local to
global level
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Bitumen is a toxic potent
carcinogen
• Oil sand extraction is elevating toxic aerial,
water, and terrestrial pollution.
• Acute exposure vs. chronic exposure..
• Extraction releases large volumes of
nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, volatile
organic compounds, and particulate matter
into the air (>2x the amount of emissions
compared to non-oil sand extraction
processes).
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
accumulation in lakes creating altered
ecosystems.
Concerns Related to
EXTRACTION
Oil sand extraction is a resource intensive,
polluting process that affects both industry workers
and nearby communities!
Extracting crude oil from the oil sands is the most
energy intensive of all oil extraction process,
requiring immense amounts of fuel (i.e. natural
gas).
Extraction processes requires up to 3.1 NET
barrels of fresh water PER one barrel of oil (~170
million cubic meters of water in 2011) (CAPP,
2012).
The ecosystem of the Athabasca River, which
flows into one of the world’s largest freshwater
deltas, is at risk from current water withdrawals.
Inadequate water recovery methods.
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Toxic tailings ponds (>200 million litres of mature fine tailings produced
each day). Ponds directly affect local ecosystems and seepage into
watersheds is known to occur.
Threats to food security, local economies that rely on healthy
watersheds/soil, etc.
Concerns re: inadequate monitoring and standards of acceptable
levels of pollution.
Studies have found increased levels of leukemia & lung cancer in oil
field workers
The Canadian Medical Association called for further investigation in health effects of tar sands development in 2012
Concerns Related to
EXTRACTION
Extraction…continued - 2
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Aboriginal Health
OVER 12 YEARS:
A three-fold increase in leukemias &
lymphomas in Fort Chipewyan;
A seven-fold increase in bile duct cancers;
Other cancers, such as soft tissue
sarcomas and lung cancers in women, also
found to be elevated in women
First Nations, Inuit and Metis people have
been the most vocal opponents to these issues
John O’Connor, GP in Fort Chipewyan 2002-2007, reported increase
in rare bile duct cancer
Alberta Cancer Board (2009) study found overall cancer rate in Fort
Chipewyan ~30% higher than expected.
Alberta Health Services not concerned, but study revealed:
30% increase in cancers in Fort Chipewyan compared with expected
rates over the last
Also higher rates of diabetes, HTN, renal failure & lupus ..all or some
linked with contaminants in tailings.
Extraction…continued - 3
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Too many unknowns and risks!
(2013) study (Smol) of sediment of 6 lakes
around Fort McMurray found 2.5 to 23 times
more PAHs in current sediment than in layers
dating back to around 1960.
Biliary cancers have been linked to petroleum
and to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs) (chemicals in tar and soot).”23
Dr. Solomon: Leukemia's & lymphomas linked
in scientific literature to petroleum products:
e.g. VOCs, dioxin-like chemicals & other
Citizens of Mackenzie river concerned about
run-off
Much more Research needed
RSC report 2010: Unsure about direct
consequences to health from tar sands
public health consequences may stem from
socioeconomic pressures related to oil
sands development
- housing shortages, price inflation, family
stress, alcohol abuse, crime, & inadequate
municipal & health services
lack of effective measurement of potential
health and socioeconomic consequences by
focusing predominantly on “predicting
environmental contaminant exposures” &
inadequately evaluating associated health
issues, including technological disasters and
occupational health
Extraction…continued - 4
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Dubious living conditions for camp workers
8 x 12 foot rooms in trailer camps in the bush north or south
Newer camps cleaner & more comfortable
Drug use on camps
Unstable working conditions(fired and hired)
Quality of life issues in Fort McMurray
Loss of hunting grounds for Cree or Dene
Visual & smell
High # of workers from the Maritimes
Re-adjustments for these communities of workers at home
Some communities: pollution corrosion of brass fixtures, etc.
Leakage of PAHs and other chemicals into lakes surrounding Ft
McMurray
“The environment is 495 on a list of 490. It’s not there. Most don’t care. It’s not home. It’s a place to hang your hat and make money, and you go with the flow or get run over.” p. 50
Social disruption issues Extraction…continued - 5
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Concerns Related to
TRANSPORT
The Risk is far too great!
RISK OF OIL SPILLS from pipeline ruptures
or tanker mishaps.
History of pipeline ruptures and tanker
mishaps (including delayed response times
and inadequate oil recovery methods).
Leaks, Spills, Pollution, Desecration
INSTALLATION of expansive pipelines through pristine ecosystems,
including hundreds of watersheds, is inherently destructive and
polluting.
Infrastructure construction could impinge on local food systems and
economies. Contamination of watersheds/marine habitats through
transport mishaps could devastate local food security and economies
that rely on these natural ecosystems
Bitumen’s highly corrosive, viscous, and toxic nature make it
especially concerning to transport through underground pipelines and
on supertankers
Massive aboriginal opposition to these projects as proposed pipeline
projects set to cross several un-ceded traditional territories
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Oil spills and
human errors
are inevitable
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Risks to Toronto:
** Contamination of water supply.
** Fouling of watercourses.
** Poisoning of atmosphere.
** Destruction of real-estate values.
** Heightening of climate change.
** NONE WHATSOEVER
Benefits to Toronto
Why should Toronto be
concerned?
Transport …continued - 3
On March 29, a 60-year old Exxon pipeline spilled at
least 318,000 litres of diluted tar sands crude near
Mayflower, Arkansas. Toxic oil poured through a
subdivision, half a meter thick, and the air stank of
noxious chemicals. Contaminated liquid poured down
waterways toward a nearby lake.
"I didn't even know the oil pipeline was there,” said a
resident. “[My wife] called me and said 'Honey,
something's wrong’…. "I came out and I smelled it.
Then I saw it coming down the street."
Enbridge wants to pump hot, corrosive, toxic tar
sands under pressure through a 37-year old pipe. If
Enbridge gets its way, such spills are all too possible
in Toronto.
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Bad weather increase the risk of spills
Transport …continued - 4
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Causes of oil spills
Groundings, equipment failures, collisions and explosions
Human error, cost-cutting and miscommunication account for 80% of spills
No accountability for human error
Bitumen is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of
petroleum
The Canadian Coast Guard and top Canadian and U.S. chemical scientists
fear that bitumen could submerge or sink releasing dangerous components
toxic to fish and animals
Currently no technology can recover these volatile dilutents
Transport …continued - 5
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Oil Spill Technology
Improvements have been negligible
Cleanup technology no further ahead than
it was 15 years ago
Largely unchanged in the last 35 years
Transport …continued - 6
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Concerns Related to USE
Developing a credible plan
for a clean-energy transition, starting with
restoration of meaningful federal support for
clean-energy and efficiency programs. To rely
solely on the oil sands is to risk further damage to
our manufacturing sector as the impacts of the
petrodollar worsen. We need policies and laws
that support jobs and investment in other sectors
across the country.
MAJOR IMPACT ON CLIMATE CHANGE!
Oil sand extraction and use contributes to climate change, due to
alarming levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced!
Oil sands are the fastest growing source of GHG emissions in Canada
(~7% of Canada's total GHG emissions came from oil sands plants
and upgraders in 2010).
Oil sands industry contributes to our dependency on fossil fuels.
Canada cannot meet any meaningful climate targets while allowing
this industry to expand as projected.
Introducing long-promised oil and gas regulations, with assurance
from credible experts that these regulations will achieve a meaningful
hard limit on oil sands emissions, and could be easily integrated into a
future carbon pricing mechanism.
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Canada cannot meet any meaningful climate
target while allowing this industry to expand
as projected.
CRS Analyst Richard Lattanzio notes "the
estimated effect of the proposed Keystone XL
pipeline on the U.S. GHG footprint would be
an increase of 3 million to 21 million metric
tons of GHG emissions annually (equal to the
annual GHG emissions from the combustion
of fuels in approximately 588,000 to
4,061,000 passenger vehicles."
Climate Change Concerns
IPCC forecasts increase in world average
T◦. by 2100 of between 1·4–5·8ºC
Result:
Climate variability
Changes in mean climatic conditions &
variability:
•temperature
•precipitation
•humidity
•wind patterns
Extreme weather events
Flooding
Droughts
Heat waves
Sea level rise with land loss & salination of
water supplies
Ecosystem degradation : species loss
Use …continued - 2
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Dire Need for Planning and Regulation
Introducing long-promised oil and gas regulations, with assurance from
credible experts that these regulations will achieve a meaningful hard
limit on oil sands emissions, and could be easily integrated into a future
carbon pricing mechanism.
Developing a credible plan for a clean-energy transition, starting with
restoration of meaningful federal support for clean-energy and efficiency
programs. To rely solely on the oil sands is to risk further damage to our
manufacturing sector as the impacts of the petrodollar worsen. We need
policies and laws that support jobs and investment in other sectors
across the country.
“Could be the biggest global health threat of 21st Century”
Impact on Climate Change Use …continued - 3
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Climate Change & Health
Canadians care about it!
Environment is an important issue for
Canadians (CMA, 2007).
Health professionals are seen as trusted
sources of information
Huge effects on human & environment health
Temperature related illness and death
Increased droughts and water shortages
Crop loss, Famine
Mental Stress
Vector-borne and water-borne diseases
Increased ground-level ozone & decreased air quality
Pollen & allergen increases
Water and food borne diseases
Injury from extreme weather (storms, floods, fires, winds)
Diarrhoeal, cardiorespiratory diseases
Mental health effects
Malnutrition
Population displacement
Conflict over shortages
Links with poverty and marginalised population
Use …continued - 4
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
PART 3:
What can WE do
about it?
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Nurses Raise the Profile
Nurses enjoy a high profile in the public eye:
their expertise, compassion, and dligence add
credibility to any advocacy or other activist
campaign. Society trusts nurses to apply
concrete knowledge and understanding to
any issue addressed. Thus, when you DO
advocate for an issue, it is taken seriously!
This can be a huge advantage to any cause
that may have not been regarded as serious
in the past. Your involvement can make the
policy makers sit up and take notice!
Get Involved!!
Join Action Plans, Sign Petitions and Letters
No Tankers Petition
Greenpeace Stop the Enbridge Pipeline Letter
Wilderness Committee Stop Tar sands Exports
Pacific Wild – No Pipeline/No Tankers Action Plan
Dogwood Initiative – Stop Super Tankers Plan
Pipe Up Against Enbridge Campaign
Lead Now’s Stop Enbridge Campaign
NDP Party Official Opposition to Enbridge Letter
NRDC Stop the Keystone XL Pipeline Campaign
Forest Ethic Stop the Pipe Dream Campaign
Nature Canada Stop Enbridge Pipeline Letter
Physicians for Social Responsibility Action Plan
Tar Sands Action Campaign
Join the CNHE!
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Resolution Building
Help us to brainstorm ways to develop a Resolution for Nursing action
on the Tar Sands, Pipelines and Super Tanker issues
Should Canadian Nurses be involved in these issues?
What is our role in regards to these issues?
How can we inform other nurses about these issues?
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
PART 4:
QUESTIONS?
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
References Canadian Association of Petrochemical Producers (CAPP) (2012). Water use in Canada’s oil sands. Retreived
electronically March 20, 2012, from, http://www.capp.ca/getdoc.aspx?DocId=193756.
Chen, Y. (2009). Cancer Incidence in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, 1995-2006. Alberta Cancer Board Division of
Population Health and Information Surveillance.
Editorial. (August 15, 2012). Doctors Call For Study Of Oil Sands' Impact On Health. Huffington Post Alberta.
Environment Canada. (2012). , Canada’s Emission Trends 19 (figure 3) and 24 (table 5)
Environment Canada. "National Inventory Report - Part 3 1990-2008 Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada
Environment Canada. (2011). Canada’s Emissions Trends
Fischer, L., Lemphers, N. & Grant, J. ( 2011 ) Summary of Environmental Management Policy
Deficiencies in the Canadian Oil sands : Implications for U.S. Decision Makers. The Pembina Institute.
Kureka, J.,. Kirk, J.L., Muir, D.C.G.,, Wang, X., Evans, M.S. & Smol, J.P. (2013). Legacy of a half century of
Athabasca oil sands development recorded by lake ecosystems. PNAS, 110 (5), 1761–1766. 0
Kureka, Kirkb, Muirb, Wangb, Evansc, & Smola. (2013). Legacy of a half century of Athabasca oil sands development
recorded by lake ecosystems. PNAS, 110(5), 1761-1766.
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
References (2) IHS CERA, (2011). “Summary,” Oilsands Technology: Past, Present, and Future (Special Report).
Gina Solomon (2010). The Other Oil Disaster: Cancer and Canada’s Tar Sands. Opinion-editorial, Natural Resources
Defense Council, May 3, 2010.
McMichael, A.J., Woodruff, R.E. & Hales, S. (2006) Climate change and human health: present and future risks. The
Lancet, 367: 859–69. DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68079-3
National Energy Technology Laboratory. (2008), Development of Baseline Data and Analysis of Life Cycle Greenhouse
Gas Emissions of Petroleum-Based Fuels, DOE/NETL-2009/1346 13, table 2-4.
Olive, P. (2011). Is there a cancer threat from the oil sands industry? David Suzuki Fdn.
Pembina Institute. (2013). Oilsands – Air Pollution.
Pembina Institute. (2013). Oilsands – Water Impacts.
Pembina Institute. (2013). Oilsands – Tailings.
Pembina Institute. (2013). Oilsands – Climate Impacts.
Royal Society of Canada Expert Panel 2010 Gosselin et al. Industry
Tenenbaum, D. J. (2009). Oil Sands Development: A Health Risk Worth Taking? Environmental Health Perspectives,
117,( 4) A150-A156.
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |
Thank you
Canadian Nurses for Health and
the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |