Global Geography-12(3) David Keeping Petroleum, affecting our society, and the way we live.

Oil mining in Western Canada, and it’s effects on the lives of the people living there. Economical development Environmental effects Social impact Personal observations Work cited

Oil mining has become a huge industry for the lives of many people in Western Canada. People will travel long distances to get the wages offered in the industry. Also people will pay large amounts for living arrangements close to those areas. Population is increasing quickly and so is the production of oil. Showing economical increases and many environmental impacts as a result.

There is a large economical impact on Alberta because of the oil mining, on shore and offshore. The living expenses are very high. They are putting billions of dollars from multiple organizations into the mining of oil. They also have put billions into the transportation of the oil through underground pipe lines, and overseas shipping. They say that the main goal is production as fast as possible, because this is a non-renewable high demand resource.

There are some very bad environmental effects on Alberta due to all the oil available. There is a certain amount of runoff into rivers and the land, affecting the animals, vegetation and our well being. There is an attraction of people to the provinces in Western Canada that cause pollution from construction and vehicle use. For example a large four lane highway. Also due to the population increase, it causes the need for many more resources. Such as oil.

Also there are some important social impacts on the people living in the west. Some good and some bad. Many people have had to move because of high living expenses. Many people disagree with the pollution factors, and the effects on the environment. What will people think when oil becomes harder and harder to obtain, prices will rise, and it will become much higher in demand, making it much less of a resource. It is supplying many people with jobs. There is much more oil available and accessible for its users.

In my opinion I think that the mining would be a good thing if it were done a little bit slower and more inexpensively. It is important to be available and accessible but it shouldn’t interfere with they way people live in those areas. It also means that the more oil obtained the more used, possibly causing some extra pollution. So I think that as long as it doesn’t harm our environment and doesn’t cause people to leave there homes, it should be a worth while industry to invest in. Toned down a bit.

Mired in crude by: Wayne Ellwood www.