1. Water Matters launches campaign promoting water for people and the environment
On October 7, 2009, Water Matters and Ecojustice Canada released Share the Water, a report calling for an overhaul to Alberta's water rights system, to ensure that water is secured for people and the environment. Share the Water suggests Alberta needs to take bold steps to address the challenge of a shrinking water supply in the face growing demands across the province. It was released in the wake of a government review of Alberta's water allocation system announced by Environment Minister Rob Renner in September 2008.
A study released in October called for urgent attention from the world's scientific community on the impact of oil sands activities on contamination. The study, Does the Alberta Tar Sands Industry Pollute? The Scientific Evidence by Kevin Timoney and Peter Lee confirmed that current levels of pollution found in water, river and lake sediment, and in fish in the area affected by oil sands production present human health concerns. The study also reported that certain types of contamination are increasing over time. The authors suggest "there is an urgent need for information about the impacts of tar sands activities" as these operations are expected to triple over the next decade. [Photo: David Dodge, Pembina Institute]
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