Climate Action News: Nobel Laureates in Solidarity for Tarsands Healing Walk | Obama Re-ignites Keystone Debate

Christian Holz Posted On July 4, 2013

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Nobel Peace Laureates stand in Solidarity with First Nations affected by reckless Tar Sands development

On July 5th and 6th, people from coast to coast will gather in Fort McMurray, AB to join First Nations and Metis in the Healing Walk, an annual gathering focused on healing the environment and the people who are suffering from tar sands expansion.

This year, the walk is supported by Keepers of the Athabasca, a collection of First Nations, Metis, Inuit, environmental groups, and local citizens coming together to protect water, land and air for Athabasca River community. The local environment in the tar sands region has already been subject to air pollution, land destruction, and water contamination to the point where it is no longer drinkable – in some communities it isn’t even safe to bathe in tap water! Click here for more information on how you can participate in the Healing Walk

Check out the Nobel Women’s Initiative‘s newly released short video documenting women’s voices on the Alberta oil sands, pipeline expansion, and climate change – in soildarity with the upcoming 4th Annual Tarsands Healing Walk.

President Obama Re-ignites Keystone Pipeline Debate

Last week, US President Barack Obama laid out a sweepingplan to fight climate change. Directly addressing the Keystone XL pipeline for the first time in recent past, he said the pipeline (intended to pump Albera crude oil to Texas refineries) will only be approved “if this project does not significantly exacerbate” greenhouse-gas emissions.

In the hours following his announcement, the reactions were coming in left, right and centre. Some supporters saw a green light for Keystone, while opponents consider Keystone as good as dead. While the specific wording of Obama’s statement caused some confusion on both sides of the barrel, Clare Demerse, Director of Federal Policy at the Pembina Institute says one thing was crystal-clear: the link between pipelines and greenhouse gas pollution. She says, “the fact that Obama included Keystone in his climate speech in the first place…is a signal that may matter more than the specific words he used.”

So the real question is, would the pipeline increase emissions? Of course it would. For more information, check out the Pembina Institute’s backgrounder: The climate implications of the proposed

Check out some of the reactions here:
Obama sets a new test for Keystone XL – Pembina Institute
Canada is a climate change loser, not leader – Environmental Defence
Obama challenges the world on climate change – Sierra Club

Oliver says Keystone pipeline would not add to greenhouse gas emissions – CTV News
Obama declares Keystone XL will be approved – Forbes Magazine