Emissions from tar sands seriously underestimated

Greenhouse gas emissions from tar sands operations are being significantly under-reported according to new research by Global Forest Watch Canada.

The report, 'Bitumen and Biocarbon', says oil companies and governments are not accounting for emissions from deforestation. It says that when boreal forest is destroyed for tar sands development, significant amounts of greenhouse gases are emitted.

'Governments and companies are working hard to downplay the impacts of tar sands operations, but it turns out that they don’t even know the full extent of the problem,' said Christy Ferguson, Greenpeace climate and energy coordinator.

'What’s worse, they’re doing nothing to find out. Denial is not a climate strategy.'

In addition, the report shows that biological carbon stored in living and decaying plants is lost when natural ecosystems are disturbed or destroyed through mining of bitumen and construction of roads, pipelines or facilities.

'Peatlands are one of the world’s most important storehouses of soil carbon. Industrial activity in the tar sands is destroying peatlands, releasing carbon and eliminating a crucial natural mechanism.

'Even if peatlands are reclaimed, the carbon released through industrialisation won’t be replaced for thousands of years,' said Ferguson.

Useful links
Full Report: Bitumen and Biocarbon

See also

• Ecologist investigation: tar sands
• Activists force tar sands mine to close
• Tuktoyaktuk: a community on the frontline of climate change