Day 17: Sorry Alberta, I'm An Environmentalist.

Ah, Saturday. Finally a day off from work and school. A day to catch up on assignments, and hopefully get some one on one time with the remote controller. Much needed Netflix and snackage time.

The other day in class, this was brought up. ^ Drilling in Alberta has been a big controversy for a long time. Either you're for it or against it. I get it if you're for it. It's not like I never drive a car. I don't own a car, but when I'm at my parents house (like right now) and I'm working I use my parents car to get to work. I also like to go on little road-trips, I'm human. The way cars are manufactured right now for the most part, we need fuel to drive them. Other than typically expensive vehicles that run on electrical charge. (which doesn't necessarily make it 100% sustainable energy unless the electricity source is natural. (sun, wind)

I talk about the leading causes of climate change a lot, because if there is something we can do, then it should be talked about. The oil and gas industry is another major contributor to climate change. With the act of driving a car, or burning fossil fuels by power plants and industrial facilities toxic gases are generated. When people are breathing this air they can develop respiratory problems including asthma, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and developmental issues.

"Fracking" (The act of drilling) doesn't just affect your health, it can contaminate drinking water sources. When you drink this water, it can lead to more health risks such as: birth defects, liver damage, and cancer. This method injects a water and chemicals into rock formations releasing oil and gas, generating huge amounts of wastewater. This water then can reach wildlife areas such as ponds, lagoons, lakes, rivers, having a big effect on wildlife. Leading to extinction.

In the U.S alone, there are approximately 1.3 million oil and gas facilities. Each facility also requires a hug chunk of land. Which takes land away from wildlife, and human-kind. But mostly wildlife, because we took their land when we built houses, and businesses and such.

Inventors out there, lets try and get a move on green gars that don't require fuel. I know a lot of people are also apposed to electric cars because they aren't as convenient. But is a earth that isn't livable convenient?

NO.

For now, lets try to drive less. A lot of city buses are going electric. Public transit is the better way to go. Plus, if you don't have far to travel, walk or bike.

I know that for a long time Alberta has been a big job provider, for a lot of hours and really good pay. I know people from all over Ontario travelled there for years to make good money. A lot of people struggled, and went there to get out of struggling. Alberta has been very important. But, people need to understand the greater monster than losing jobs; losing lives.

I HAVE MORE MOVIE RECOMMENDATIONS!

They are all animation, but they are worthwhile even for those who don't really like animation. (for those of you, how dare you! They keep the child in me alive.)

1) BIG FOOT (on Netflix ALL ABOUT OIL DRILLING, great story! much needed)

The following are movies I grew up on- but was young and didn't get the bigger picture until I watched them when I got older- WOW. It was right before our eyes.

2) Wall-E (Land-fill robot)

3) ICE AGE (Melting Ice)

4) The Lorax ***** LOVE (Deforestation)

5) Happy Feet (plastic consumption on wildlife/ and animal confinement)

THANKS FOR READING FOLKS.

Happy weekend.

x

Kailee