Canada's international reputation as a green and gentle nation has long been a matter of national pride. But is that reputation deserved? Canada's actions on environmental issues - from ignoring Kyoto Protocol targets to obstructing progress at United Nations climate-change talks - are increasingly raising eyebrows, both at home and abroad. Perhaps nothing is more emblematic of this reality gap than Canada's determination to mine its tar sands at a frantic rate. The sands are a dirty source of oil. They require more energy for oil extraction than do conventional reserves, producing extra greenhouse-gas emissions. The industry has torn up vast swathes of landscape, created toxic ponds of waste and released pollutants into waterways. Where such issues justify pressure for action, it is crucial that scientists such as David Schindler (see page 499) highlight them.
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