Right now, EU law makers are introducing an important bill which would impose strict pollution standards on car and lorry fuels and would effectively ban tar sands fuel, the world's most filthy and environmentally destructive transport oil. But shockingly, the UK is opposing it.
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Dear friends,
Our government is bending under pressure from the oil industry and the Canadian government, who stand to make billions if they can get an ally to water down the law and remove the clause that bans tar sands. We can expose these dirty dealings, and demand the government support the law and protect the climate.
Tomorrow, campaigners will meet with Transport Minister Norman Baker. Let's show him the British public is united against any attempt to undermine this critical legislation -- sign below, then send this to everyone:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/crude_politics/?vl
Tar sands fuel is nasty stuff. Oil companies destroy and degrade millions of acres of pristine Canadian forest and displace indigenous communities just to reach the unrefined bitumen. Refining it spreads cancerous heavy metals and sulphur through the air and leaves a barren, toxic landscape. The US Environmental Protection Agency says refining tar sands causes at least 82% more carbon pollution than refining conventional oil. But for Canada and the oil companies, the returns are lucrative -- oil giants recently announced a $379 billion investment in them.
The EU wants to help stop this catastrophe, but the UK is standing in the way. The EU’s proposed Fuel Quality Directive would set a binding 6% climate pollution reduction target for Europe’s transport fuels by 2020. We need to make sure that our government - which likes to parade green credentials - doesn’t cave to tar sands oil interests.
Our political leaders should be securing a cleaner energy future for us and our children, not caving in to polluters that bring oil spills and climate change. Time is short -- we need to convince the transport minister by June 23rd. Let’s tell the UK government to keep dirty fuels out of the EU. Sign the petition now, then forward this email to friends who want clean air:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/crude_politics/?vl
In a world with a safe and stable climate, using energy will not come at the expense of our natural environment. Canada’s tar sands are an out-dated approach to energy, where profit outweighs pollution. We have a chance to make a change now. Together, we’ve influenced international climate summits, world leaders and our parliaments -- now let’s take another decisive step towards a cleaner future.
With hope,
Loup Dargent
On behalf of Alex, Maria Paz, Morgan, Iain, Ricken, Stephanie, Giulia, Pascal, Benjamin, Luis, and the rest of the Avaaz team
SOURCES
- UK undermining EU tar sands ban
- Pollution fears as UK blocks European ban on fuel from tar sands
- Why Europe could decide the fate of Canada’s tar sands
- Canada tries to hide tar sands carbon emissions
- US Environmental Protection Agency review of tar sands impact (pdf)
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