Published June 29, 2011
by jmedalye
This week, a number of prominent writers in the climate justice movement including James Hansen, Naomi Klein, Maude Barlow, David Suzuki, and Bill McKibben, wrote an open letter calling for civil action against the Keystone XL Pipeline. This summer, the State Department and the White House will decide whether or not to grant a certificate of 'national interest' to key fossil fuel producers thereby allowing the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. The Keystone XL Pipeline will move oil from Canada's tar sands to Texas refineries. This move would enable faster transport and increased volume of tar sand oil production. However the burning of these reserves would add approximate 200 ppm of CO2 into the atmosphere. Considering that as of October 2010, emissions were at 389 ppm, and that 350 ppm has been advocated as the safe upper limit for CO2, this improved production capacity could lead to 'run away' climate change. As James Hansen has stated, "if the tar sands are thrown into the mix it is essentially game over.” In addition, the pipeline would cross through First Nations communities and over the Ogallala Aquifer, where a spill would devastate water supplies. In response, environmental activists will stage a protest beginning in mid-August. Each day through Labor Day, they intend to march on the White House. The action will continue for several weeks, until the administration can either grant or deny the permit for the pipeline. Canadians are encouraged to join the protest by staging demonstrations in front of U.S. consulates. To become part of this action you can sign up here.
To read the open letter please visit Yes Magazine.
Posted in: Blogs | Turning Up the Heat
