Quote:
Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop
Thing is.... same companies operating in "ethical" Alberta also operate in unethical world pariah troublespots, and those who don't currently would jump at the chance if there was a significant play at hand.
There's absolutely nothing "ethical" about the oil business. Its history is one of ruthlessness.
Ezra Levant could call what oozes out of the cancersands "Mothers Milk" and it doesn't change the fact that the product is labor-intensive and has an environmental cost.
It's dirty oil.
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Yes, of course that's true. Of course, all oil is dirty oil to some extent but the oilsands (at this point in time) happens to be dirtier. That said, most energy is dirty and/or bloody. Coal is a major environmental issue.
In terms of ethics...having had worked in the oil industry overseas and domestically I can, without a doubt, assure you that domestic energy operations are significantly more ethical than anything I've experienced overseas. This isn't because the companies or CEO's or even operators in Canada are angels but because the law of the land in Canada is much stricter and is actually enforced.
Despite working in the industry and having my family supported by the oilsands I often find myself feeling uncomfortable about the ethical nature of the operations up north. I would love to be able to live off sustainable forms of energy. Then I remember that a) at this point in time it is simply not realistic for most people to give up fossil fuels (we still drive, fly, heat our homes, etc.) and b) nobody is getting killed because of the oil we produce in Alberta.
Maybe it's still a handshake with the devil (environmentally speaking) but it's also a case of better the devil you know than the devil you know wants you dead.