What in Tar-nation? Cdn Energy-Enviro Security Gordon Laxer Parkland Institute Univ. of Alberta Climate Change Conference 2010 Aug 14, 2010

Andrew Nikiforuk #2 “Due to their extreme energy intensity the tar sands have a higher carbon footprint than any other commercial oil product on the planet”

Emerging Energy Superpower? #3 En route to first G-8 meeting, Stephen Harper proclaimed in London: Canada is the “emerging energy superpower our government intends to build"

Alberta’s northern boreal forest #4

National Geographic Mag Feb 2009 #5

Tar sands are Mordor - Maude Barlow [Lord of Rings] #6

Tar sands’ eco-disaster #7 Move 2 tons of earth for 1 barrel oil Uses 4 barrels water for 1 barrel oil carbon emissions 3 X higher than light oil Killing native people, wildlife Comprise ¼ of Alberta: size of England Toxic lakes: 2 nd largest dam in world Many toxic emissions – [Environ Can] Depleting Canada’s natural gas Tar sands mainly for export to U.S.

Curse of Proximity to United States #8 “Poor Mexico, so far from God and so close to the United States” Porfirio Diaz “Canada’s relationship with the United States is like that of "a mouse in bed with an elephant … no matter how friendly the beast … one is affected by every twitch & grunt." Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau 1969

U.S. oil use at other countries’ levels #9 6 United States19.42 million b/ day 2008 U.S use at Cdn level18.8 m b/day U.S. use at Australian level11.95 m b/day U.S. use at Swedish level 9.91 m b/day U.S. use at U.S. oil output level 8.5 m b/day U.S. use at British level Source: BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2009 (2004 stats. Oil only). My calculations. U.S. use level from EIA m /day

George W. Bush can count on a secure flow of oil & gas from its biggest energy supplier & trading partner – Canada Prime MinisterStephen Harper #10

Superpowers vs Satellites / colonies #11 Superpowers can influence events by projecting economic, military, political & cultural power on world scale Satellites are formally independent countries, dominated through deep ideological allegiance, & econ. dependence on more powerful country

Canadian Energy Insecurity Freeze in Dark #12 Canada’s Oil Imports: 2008 Canada imported 54% of its oil No strategic petroleum reserves. [Only IEA Country] No plans for internat’l oil supply crisis Not enough pipelines supply Canada with domestic oil Instead:Exports to US: 65% of Canada’s oil production 59% Canada’s natural gas

Yr / imports B/day OPEC North Sea ,000 b/day 41.3% Algeria 17.6% S Arabia 8.2% Iraq 7.1% 41.7% Norway 26.0% UK 15.7% ,000 b/day 45.0% Algeria 20.7% Iraq 8.1% S Arabia 8.0% 37.0% Norway 21.7% UK 15.3% ,123 b/day 49.6% Algeria 20.9% S Arabia 8.6% Iraq 7.3% 37.8% Norway 21.4% UK 16.4% Canada’s oil imports by source International Energy Agency, “World Energy Outlook 2008”. #13 International Energy Agency, “World Energy Outlook 2008”. #13

NAFTA’s Proportionality clause #14 Proportionality clause prohibits Canada from lowering the share of its total exports in specific energy goods relative to its total supply in the most recent three-year period (NAFTA, article 605) This means the U.S. has first access to majority of Canada’s energy

Mexico said No to Proportionality #15 Mexico won exemption from proportionality clause Meant US not obligated to export nat. gas to Mexico Canada demand ‘Mexican exemption’ on proportionality

New Canadian Vision: Popular sovereignty, environ., internationalism #16 Transition off fossil fuels entirely in 30 yrs Power Down. Industry & people to use much less energy, especially in Global North. Renewable energy Supply Canada-first energy plan. 25 years ‘proven’ oil / gas supplies for Cdns before export energy Cap tarsands production. Phase out tarsands Raise royalties to fund green industry / society