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For years there has been growing evidence that toxic chemicals from Alberta's vast tar sands tailings ponds were leaching into groundwater and the nearby Athabasca River. The tailing ponds now cover a huge area – some 176 square kilometres – and given their size it is hardly surprising that some seepage may be occurring.

Over the last few years an increasing number of influential investors, climate scientists, analysts and activists have been arguing that we cannot afford to burn all the fossil fuel reserves due to climate change.

As the European Commission continues to deliberate as to whether to adopt its landmark climate change legislation, called the Fuel Quality Directive (FQD), there is increasing evidence that planned pipelines in North America could turn Europe into a significant market for the Canadian tar sands.

According to a report commissioned for the hearings into health impact caused by the tar sands, some local doctors are reluctant to treat patients who draw connections between the industry and their personal health problems.

Rock legend Neil Young continued his week-long “Honor the Treaties” tour of Canada yesterday by likening the tar sands to a war zone.

Leading scientists and American politicians are worried that the the US is trying to undermine the EU's landmark Fuel Quality Directive

The Canadian press is reporting that the Albertan government is preparing to release new data “within weeks” about cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan, the First Nations community which is just under 300 kilometers north of Fort McMurray.

This is the scientific paper that should stop all Arctic drilling now. It should also stop the controversial Keystone XL pipeline. It is yet another warning that business as usual for the oil industry is just not acceptable.

The Reuters news agency is reporting that Canada is running out of time to offer President Barack Obama some kind of concession on climate change that might allow Obama to approve the controversial Keystone XL (KXL) pipeline