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Handling of oilsands tailings spill is environmental racism, plain and simple

Summary

In an opinion piece by Rosa Galvez, the handling of a recent oilsands tailings spill in northern Alberta is described as a clear case of environmental racism. The spill at Imperial Oil's Kearl oilsands mine affected the Athabasca Chipewyan community, and just months later, wildfires threatened the same community. The increasing severity of forest fires in Canada is linked to climate change, which has been exacerbated by the oil industry's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. The article argues that the spill and its environmental impact are not unforeseen accidents, but rather the result of a flawed regulatory system that relies on polluters to set rules for pollution prevention. The author calls for a shift towards rigorous application of the "polluter-pays" principle and the development and enforcement of laws that prioritize the protection of people and the environment.

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