Researchers’ Open Letter Calls for Moratorium on New Oilsands Projects

"More than 100 scientists and economists from Canada and the U.S. made an unprecedented call Wednesday for a halt to new projects in the oilsands until carbon emissions can be reduced.

In an open letter sent to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the prestigious group of researchers said a moratorium on new projects is needed if the world wants to limit the worst impacts of global warming. Energy economist Mark Jaccard of Simon Fraser University said the position is “Alberta friendly,” as it would maintain current oilsands jobs, and production levels at about two million barrels a day.

But new projects should not be approved in northeast Alberta unless there is a plan “to rapidly reduce carbon pollution, safeguard biodiversity, protect human health, and respect treaty rights,” says the letter, also signed by Nobel Prize winning economist Ken Arrow."

Sheila Pratt reports for the Edmonton Journal June 10, 2015.