NASA Scientist, Religious Leaders Arrested in Tar Sands Protest

[homasse]

NASA Scientist, Religious Leaders Arrested in Tar Sands Protest

NASA climatologist Dr. James Hansen was arrested today in front of the White House where he was demonstrating in opposition to the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline that would bring thick crude oil from Alberta to refineries in Oklahoma and Texas. Dr. Hansen heads the NASA

Comments

[iolarah]

(Note to self: take time off at end of September.) I'm glad to hear that this isn't going unnoticed. It's an embarrassment. The money that's being poured into working those sands could go a long way toward developing alternative energy sources instead.

[hinoema]

"The stand against tar sand oil is basically about protecting God's creation and God's people," said United Church of Christ minister Rev. Mari Castellanos. "The process of extraction destroys the boreal forest and wetlands, leaves behind enormous lakes of toxic waste and causes high levels of greenhouse gas pollution. To engage in peaceful protest against it is sacramental."

This is the kind of religion I completely endorse.

[arisma]

I agree.

[likeafox]

Oh UCC. Best church in the world. If only they all could be so awesome.

[kidantarctica]

James Hansen, PhD, badass.

[erunamiryene]

Alternative energy? What? Fuck that, MOAR OILZ!

/eyeroll

"The tar sands are huge deposits of bitumen, a tar-like substance that is turned into oil through complex and energy-intensive processes that cause widespread environmental damage - polluting the Athabasca River, lacing the air with toxins and turning farmland into wasteland," Greenpeace says. "Large areas of the boreal forest are being clearcut to make way for development in the tar sands, the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada."

Greenpeace is also concerned with the social and health costs of tar sands development. First Nations communities in the tar sands report unusually high levels of rare cancers and autoimmune diseases, and their traditional way of life has been threatened.

JFC, why the fuck would you pursue something like that, with THAT MANY BAD THINGS and so little payoff? Yes, I know, the answer is money, but goddamn. At some point, shouldn't SOME things be more important than MORE fucking cash?