Alberta Tar Sands Have Irreversible Impact on Indigenous Culture

Brendan DeMelle DeSmog
onNov 24, 2010 @ 17:04 PST

The Alberta tar sands are increasingly recognized as a major threat, not only moving us in the opposite direction from where we need to go to solve the climate crisis, but also with the enormous environmental and public health risks that tar sands development entails. ย However, another major negativeย and irreversibleย consequenceย of the tar sandsโ€™ gold rush is often overlooked – the tremendous impact on the culture and legacy of northern Albertaโ€™s indigenous peoples.

As this amazing multimedia presentation by acclaimed climate change photographer Robert van Waarden demonstrates vividly, the tar sands are leaving an indelible mark on First Nationsโ€™ communities, whose livelihoods and culture are threatened by the tar sands. ย Watch this, then please share it with your family and learn more about the tar sands. ย This destruction can be stopped, but not without major publicย pressure.

Brendan DeMelle DeSmog
Brendan is Executive Director of DeSmog. He is also a freelance writer and researcher specializing in media, politics, climate change and energy. His work has appeared in Vanity Fair, The Huffington Post, Grist, The Washington Times and other outlets.

Related Posts

onNov 17, 2025 @ 10:23 PST

After MEPs voted to gut Europeโ€™s flagship climate transparency law, concerns are mounting that the Big Four will dominate and dilute corporate sustainability audits.

After MEPs voted to gut Europeโ€™s flagship climate transparency law, concerns are mounting that the Big Four will dominate and dilute corporate sustainability audits.

Doctors and models extol the virtues of meat as climate impacts of industrial farming face scrutiny at COP30 โ€” the global climate summit.

Doctors and models extol the virtues of meat as climate impacts of industrial farming face scrutiny at COP30 โ€” the global climate summit.
onNov 14, 2025 @ 07:04 PST

Their access to the summit is proof that Big Oil still holds "a dangerous sway" over the climate process, campaigners say.

Their access to the summit is proof that Big Oil still holds "a dangerous sway" over the climate process, campaigners say.
onNov 13, 2025 @ 21:01 PST

Delegationโ€™s composition consistent with new KBPO report revealingย this yearโ€™s U.N. climate talks have the largest number of fossil fuel lobbyists to date.

Delegationโ€™s composition consistent with new KBPO report revealingย this yearโ€™s U.N. climate talks have the largest number of fossil fuel lobbyists to date.