Enhancing Resilience in a Changing Climate – Assessing Climate Change Impacts on Water Availability for Oil Sands Development in the Athabasca River Basin

While NRCan is trying to position itself as having a balanced view of the issue (see document “Draft NRCan Oil Sands Communications Plan”), this analysis makes clear where their priority lies.

Instead of taking action to reduce the impact dirty oil and the tar sands is having on climate change, the government is concerned climate change will threaten tar sands production.

The analysis notes that “climate change impacts on water supply is an unappreciated but potentially serious threat to Canada’s oil production. ”

“Enhancing Resilience in a Changing Climate: Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation for Key Economic and Natural Environment Sectors.” NRCan website. Accessed July 20, 2010. Last modified December 2, 2009.
http://sst-ess.rncan-nrcan.gc.ca/ercc-rrcc/proj1/theme1/act1_e.php