This week I read about tar sands, particularly in South Portland. An oil company called ExxonMobil is attempting to turn South Portland into a shipping port for tar sands. On November 5th there will be a citywide vote. If this passes, tar sands will cause more chemicals in the air, new smokestacks, a new oil station, and increase in the risk of spills from the oil tanks exporting the tar sands from South Portland. Overall, the tar sands will severely harm the environment, not only in South Portland but also surrounding cities. ExxonMobil and its supporters want to create this tar sand port solely to profit themselves. So, the town of South Portland has come up with about 3800 signatures, leading the movement to pass the Waterfront Protection Ordinance. Their involvement shows how important this issue is to the citizens of South Portland.

“The oil sands are the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada.” The oil sand are also more toxic than crude oil. Therefore, this is a very important issue that needs to be addressed immediately. It also shows that this isn’t just an issue in South Portland, it is happening all over the continent, including Canada. We should be focused on stopping ExxonMobil but also trying to decrease the amount of chemicals harming the environment from tar sands across the world.