We are aware that the Keystone XL Pipeline poses detrimental harm to our environment and puts any future we hope to have at high risk. Unmistakably, we are not educated sufficiently with the environmental harm that this project poses on us, as media coverage solely focuses on how this project will be beneficial, primarily due to economic gain. However, environmentalists argue that the any benefits that are suggested (economic) are heavily outweighed by the environmental consequences.
Notably, environmental consequences posed by the Keystone XL Pipeline implementation include:
-If the project is successful there will be an increase in climate-warming and greenhouse gas emissions. Production of oil sands crude is energy intensive and therefore it is more greenhouse gas intensive as well.
-Oil from Canadian oil sands is 17% more carbon intensive than the average oil consumed in the United States (DeMoro, 2014).
-It is estimated that the U.S. greenhouse gas footprint would increase by 3-21 million metric tons per year as the project goes through. This means that what we have currently been experiencing in regards to climate change is only going to become significantly worse as time goes on.
-The addition of the Keystone XL Pipeline would cross the Ogallala Aquifier, this is a significant source drinking and irrigation water in the United States from South Dakota to Texas. Thus posing that if the pipeline crosses this water table the potential for an oil spill could result in contaminating the surrounding water.
-Additionally in regards to the issue of contamination of water it is evident that many of the toxic chemicals released pose severe threats to the health of individuals. Specifically, the contamination of water due to the pipeline increases risks of respiratory ailments, heart and lung disease, asthma, and cancer (DeMoro, 2014).
-The implementation of the Keystone XL Pipeline will lead to land disturbances and will also impede farmers' crops and spoil their land. It is recorded that once TransCanada owns the land it is no longer available to the public. Therefore, once these crops have been impeded with they are no longer usable by the farmers; rather they are at risk for contaminating the land instead by means of oil spills.
-Air pollution is also a key component in terms of putting individuals at risk regarding their health. Air pollution occurs due to the greenhouse gas emissions released. Specifically, Petcoke is the carbon residue released in toxic dust storms, and is harmful to breathe in. Secondly, mercury wafting in from the tar sands is commonly linked to brain damage among individuals (DeMoro, 2014).
-The implementation of this project also puts us at risk for being considered a developing “Asthma Nation”. This, as mentioned before, is linked to air pollution. The implementation of the Keystone XL Pipeline will multiply carbon emissions released and speed up the risk of climate change effects, worsening what we are already experiencing to date in terms of climate change. This is linked to pollution released in the air, increase in average air temperatures, and weather anomalies (which are becoming increasingly worse) (DeMoro, 2014).
-It is recorded that the past decade is considered to be the hottest ever. Examples of climate change we are currently experiencing include: Ocean temperatures are recorded to be nine degrees above normal, the largest ever recorded weather abnormalities are occurring, as well as droughts (DeMoro, 2014).
-The Keystone Pipeline itself generates carbon emissions equivalent to the use of 40 million more cars or 50 coal fired power plants, every year (DeMoro, 2014).
-It is important to consider if this project is implemented, who will experience gain from the oil extracted. As we are putting ourselves at such high risk to environmental damage and health complications are we getting any gain from this project? The simple answer is no, the oil extracted is to be sent via pipeline to Texas where it will then be shipped overseas, thus we are not even having access to this oil ourselves. Although the pipeline has not yet been entirely approved there are already contracts set to sell much of the oil we extract in Canada to foreign buyers (DeMoro, 2014).
-It is suggested that even if this project is blocked, the tar sands oil will be shipped by rail. Therefore, this oil will still be extracted, the fracking process will occur and we will still be at risk for environmental harm and health complications. Furthermore, it is suggested that transporting this oil via rail poses even more of a risk for oil spills, which is extremely harmful to our environment (DeMoro, 2014).
-Robert Redford, an environmental activist states that “The more people learn about the Keystone Pipeline, the less they like it”. This is why it must be promoted how harmful this project could be to our world. As the tar sands crude makes for a dirtier, more dangerous future for our children and ourselves, putting us at risk simply so that the oil industries in Canada and the United States can reach the higher prices of overseas oil industries. Additionally, Redford suggests that this pipeline project proposal is “all risk with no reward for American people” (DeMoro, 2014).
-Both the actual environmental damage that is presently occurring and the potential for worsening the risks climate change poses on us, are enough to reject the pipeline project proposal and protect our climate. As it is evident that the risks outlined pose threat on human health, multiple ecosystems, and most importantly, our climate (DeMoro, 2014).
