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As if we needed more bad news about oil extraction from the tar sands of Canada—or more reason to distrust the companies doing the drilling.
Now, according to a new study, birds are dying in Alberta oilsands tailings ponds at least 30 times faster than what industry says.
And what industry says has been the official source of information about its impact on the environment—because, it might not be surprising to hear, the industry has been allowed to self-monitor its own environmental impact.
The authors of the study point to their findings as reason to demand independent, scientific monitoring.
CBC News reports that according to the industry, which relies on employees to track bird deaths, an average of 65 birds were killed each year from tailings pond exposure in northeastern Alberta between 2000 and 2007.
Using a different method to count bird deaths, however, the researchers found that over 14 years, the "median, including raptors, songbirds, shorebirds and gulls, is 1,973 deaths every year, although the deaths for any given year ranged from 458 to 5,029."
Read more about the study from CBC and if you're so inclined, consider this another reason to cut down on fossil fuel consumption—since Canada, after all, is the largest supplier of oil to the U.S.
More about tar sands oil:
Tar Sands: The Most Destructive Project on Earth
Tar Sands Projects Responsible for Water Pollution in Alberta's Rivers - Despite Industry Claims to Contrary
Canadian Tar Sands Industry & Government Maintains Higher Water Toxicity Near Projects is Natural
National Geographic Slams Tar Sands – Canadian Politicians Pissed
