Page 27 - Suncor 360 - January 2015

IN THE KNOW
While many aspects of the energy industry – and Suncor’s business – are polarizing, the issues are rarely black and white. Here, we tackle timely issues head-on and give you the answers and facts you need to join the conversation and respond to those who misunderstand what we do, and why. It’s all about being...
SOME PEOPLE SAY
OIL SANDS DEVELOPMENT COMES AT FAR TOO HIGH OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL COST. YOU SHOULD JUST SHUT IT DOWN.
THE SHORT ANSWER
From 2011 to 2035, the International Energy Agency expects global energy demand to increase by one third. All sources of energy – Canada’s oil sands included – will be needed to meet that demand.
While it’s true that oil sands development has environmental impacts, operators are working together to improve performance. They formed COSIA (Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance) to accelerate improvements in four key areas: tailings, water, land and greenhouse gas emissions.
"JUST SHUT IT DOWN"
QUOTE WORTHY
“As oil sands expansion
continues, we must consider
how development can optimize benefits of the resource, achieve our international climate commitments, and meet science- based environmental limits. To do this, we need to have a positive and constructive discussion that considers the economic, social
and environmental pros and cons of oil sands development.”
– Booms, busts and bitumen, the Pembina Institute, November 2013.
&
Many companies – Suncor among them – are also working hard on their own to improve environmental performance. Since
establishing ambitious goals in 2009, we’ve been focused on improving energy efficiency, reducing water consumption and air emissions, and increasing land reclaimed by 2015. To see one of our reclamation examples, read about the Nikanotee Fen on P. 20.
NOTE WORTHY
Oil sands development represents just 0.15 per cent of global greenhouse
gas emissions.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Some 390,000 Canadian jobs were linked to the oil sands in 2010 (2.3 per cent of all jobs in Canada). What happens to those jobs and those people if we shut the oil sands down?
IF
a sustainable energy future matters to you, join the conversation.
And to ensure our voices are heard, let’s keep the conversation positive and fact-based. It all begins with being In the Know!
CHECK OUT
the In The Know site on the Core and our Report on sustainability site on sustainability.suncor.com to learn more on this issue.
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