The Canadian oil sands are exacting a heavy toll on local populations and the environment , on a local and a global scale, according to The Washington Post in a report from Fort McMurray, Alberta.

Tarsand oil extraction requires massive amounts of energy:

"Each barrel of oil requires two to five barrels of water, carves up four tons of earth, uses enough natural gas to heat a home for one to five days, and adds to the greenhouse gases slowly cooking the planet, according to the industry's own calculations."

According to the report, extraction is 17 years ahead of itself. Alberta's oilsands were recognised as economically viable in 2003, but so much investment has poured into developing the industry that the goal of producing one million barrels of oil a day by 2020 was passed in 2004. Tailing ponds are now so massive that apparently one dam is "among the largest in the world."

Seems like Albertans should start saving their oil tax dollars for the clean up and healthcare costs that are starting to come down the tube.

Read the article on Canadian oil sands damage