Toxic - Alberta - Part 1

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Last winter we decided VBS had to do a story on the Oil Sands of Alberta. So far no American media outlet had comprehensively covered it and even the local press's approach has left a lot to be desired. No one seemed to even know what it was. It's strange that as we hit peak oil and the global oil reserves go on the decline, we have heard next to nothing about the fact that Canada, due to improved oil extraction technology and record oil prices, is poised to become a major player in the geopolitical market place. The big question going in is what does this sudden access to previously unobtainable oil mean? Is this our get out of jail free card for the present energy crisis or is it another pipe dream being hyped up by the very corporations and lobbyists who stand to gain the most from it? Traveling through the haze of Ft. McMurray did nothing but fortify our stance on fossil fuel. It's dirty, expensive, and--most importantly--nonrenewable. Al Gore recently likened the oil sands to a drug pusher, satisfying our jones for quick and cheap energy. Say what you will about pushers (at least they're not kicking out greenhouse gasses to the tune of 80 million kilograms a day), but we think he's got us and our jones pretty much square on the head. PS: If you're wondering who did the music for this series, it was Pelican in episode 1, and Moss of Aura in episode 2.