Oil Sands Question and Response (OSQAR) Blog

Fort McMurray strikes back at Hollywood

Following various celebrity visits to the oil sands – and the opinions that followed, sparking vigorous debates – one group of Fort McMurray filmmakers are turning the tables. With some team members described as 'trained in the belly of the beast,' they plan to visit Los Angeles and shine the light on some not-so favourable impacts of another big industry – Hollywood. Tar Sands Messiah aims to use 'part light-hearted satire and part inspirational documentary' to tell Fort McMurray’s story the local way.

What’s in your tank?

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Pulling up to the pump to replenish our fuel tank inevitably triggers some familiar thoughts. 

“How much is filling up going to cost me this time?”

“My windshield is one big insect smear. Should I bother cleaning it?”

“Ooh. This one’s got fresh coffee and donuts. Do I have time to go in?” 

ENGOs and oil sands players: friends, foes or frenemies?

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Is there any point in engaging with environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) when they are, at times, oil sands development’s fiercest critics?

Can local protests influence global energy projects?

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New evidence suggests that they can!  A new report from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science found that protests from local people are effective in influencing changes to large scale energy projects. The report also found evidence that companies really do want to make sure nearby members of the community are properly engaged with and are willing to make changes to accommodate their needs. Check out the report for more on the power of local communities.

Is it possible to be truly impartial?

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Whether it’s challenging fracking practices, protesting pipelines or objecting to oil sands development, when it comes to environmental activism, is it truly possible to be a completely legitimate crusader for the cause? A blog post from DeSmog Canada discusses hypocrisy as the inevitable consequence of questioning practices and policies that are so entrenched that it’s nearly impossible to function without participating in them.

Tolerance and common sense: Extolling the Canadian way

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Harsh treatment of environmental and human rights protestors in some countries reminds of us how fortunate we are as Canadians to live in a society which embraces and respects differences of opinion.

Are fossil fuels not cool for schools?

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North American college campuses have always been fertile ground for embracing and popularizing novel ideas, from the revolutionary (free speech, civil rights, social networking) to the ridiculous (streaking, goldfish swallowing, phone booth stuffing).

Celebrity-powered: Oil sands spokespeople we’d like to see

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The oil sands and entertainment industries are both multi-billion-dollar enterprises that affect the lives of millions of people. One industry generates the energy which underpins our modern lives while the other primarily seeks to amuse, delight, and provoke.  

When Neil Young and Daryl Hannah came to town

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Word of Neil Young and Daryl Hannah’s recent visit to Fort McMurray, AB has been making headlines across the country. Read this insider’s take on their visit, the agenda and his impression of the two stars.

Energy dialogue needs more collaboration, less hot air

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In a world where global energy demand is expected to increase for several decades as Asian, Latin and African countries develop their economies, ensuring everyone has the energy needed now and in the future for secure, comfortable living is a huge societal challenge.