CALGARY: ALBERTA: Canada's oil sands
producers have launched a new Web site to defend themselves against
environmental groups who charge they are developing the oil sands with
disregard for the environment. Canadasoilsands.ca is sponsored by the
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, and aims to start a
“national discussion” on oil sands.
The Web site features links to news
articles (both for and against oil sands development) and a discussion
forum about various environmental topics. The launch of the Web site
comes as Greenpeace launched travellingalberta.com, a satirical site
inviting tourists to enjoy the province's “black sand beaches, toxic
lakes, and clearcut forests.”
Canada's oil sands producers have been in
damage control mode since hundreds of ducks died from landing in a
tailing ponds of Syncrude Canada this spring. According to an
independent media audit performed by Fleishman-Hillard, between January
2008 and May 2008, 75% of media articles positioned oil sands in a
negative light when reporting on environmental issues, with many of the
articles about the dead ducks.