In the world we live, our need for natural resources is ever increasing and continuing to take a toll on our flora and Fauna. The recent news story about the Alberta Oil sands project and the “Accident” for lack of a better word, is a great example of what a negative toll Man is having on this earth.
It has been reported that over 500 waterfowl have died just from simply landing into these man made toxic ponds!!!! These toxic oceans of sludge are created when fresh water is diverted from the river to be used in the processing of the oil sands – 90% of the water used ends up in these man-made lakes.
Waterfowl don’t realize this until it’s too late, they get all oiled up from the polluted water and sick, and eventually die a terrible death. Migrating birds are normally scared away from the ponds (So they claim) by sound-cannons that simulate gunfire. Syncrude officials have said a spring snowstorm delayed deployment of the system. To me this is the poorest of excuses!! Basically they just didn’t get around to it in time. The larger question here is just how effective is this system? How many birds die even with this system in place? I don’t believe for a second that this system keeps all birds at bay!! What exactly is happening out there, that we are not being told or shown??
One thing always seems to take presidency, and that’s our need for natural resources, no matter the cost, and no matter what it hurts. Logging has destroyed a large number of habitats all over the world, and is responsible for a great number of extinctions on our planet. Over fishing and pollution has decimated many species of fish in our oceans, and over hunting has either completely wiped out species to extinction or reduced their numbers to irrecoverable numbers.
Stories like the oil sands screw up, make me feel ashamed to be a human being, because slowly but surely man is destroying this earth, and effecting everything he shares it with.
Next time you fill up your vehicle, remember the hundreds of Water Fowl that paid a high price with their lives, just so we can drive our cars and trucks…. In the end it’s not how much a liter we pay, but just how much we destroy to make that liter…...
Man's need for Oil
Man’s need for Oil
Carla Jandelle..., 2 months ago
sadly i understand u’r helpless feelings here. and u know…if u complain enuf? then YOU’RE criticized as well. i will never understand societies choices of ‘me first/nature last’........does not the fact we have CHILDREN who will inherit our issues not affect anyone?
Derek Dafoe, 2 months ago
Excellent point, as it will be our children that will have to live with what is left of our mistakes. Extreme conservation measures today!!! Not in 20 or 50 years as some of the government plans try and include as a time table!!! are needed urgently. Unfortunately I think a global disaster has to happen before people can get the point and change their ways.
ECGardner, 2 months ago
You raise some extremely valid points. Another thing that is contributing to the loss of rainforest, resources, and species is the raising of animals for food. Land is cleared for cattle, hog lots and chicken farms dump their waste into river and lakes, polluting them terribly, and grain and water are given not to the hungry people, but to the animals whose flesh will be exported to other, more affluent countries. If we don’t start taking stock of our actions and make some tangible changes, the planet and its creatures are in trouble. :(
Derek Dafoe, 2 months ago
China is probably the worst country currently in the world!! The economic growth of this country over the last few years has been staggering!! China has recently surpassed the U.S in carbon dioxide emission, due in part to their ever increasing coal powered electricity plants, and the ever increasing number of cars on their roads. The once popular bicycle is fading as more and more of China’s people want what we in the western world have. The yellow river in China is probably one of the most pollute rivers in the entire world!! 50% of the Yellow river is considered biologically dead. Not to get too far off my original topic here, but once again it is man’s drive to manufacture and produce, with little to no regard for the environment. In China’s case what happens when it is so over populated and polluted that the nation can no longer support it’s people?? In my opinion China is doomed!! the effects worldwide will have to remain to be seen..
waarnie, 2 months ago
And let us not forget the Passenger Pigeon. Killed in such a short time for vanity and fun!