http://www.flickr.com/photos/matmcdermott/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

One of the most exciting aspects of the international negotiations is the level of solidarity between international youth and other under-represented groups. A couple of days ago I reported on the solidarity action with the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), a negotiating block of nations whose existence is currently and increasingly threatened by sea level rise. For these nations and for young people it’s all about survival. None of the delaying arguments and economic excuses brought up by developed and developing nations make sense to us when survival is at stake.

Another amazing display of solidarity came with the issue of tar sands. Tar sands are the most destructive industrial project on earth and consist of massive deforestation, excavation, and toxic refining in order to extract oil from the oil-drenched soil. All of these steps take place in indigenous lands and are a key factor in Canada’s continued obstructionism to the climate treaty. Check out this video of an exciting action organized in collaboration between the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, the Indigenous Environmental Network, and some american youth:

Canada’s Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, hails from the tar sands province of Alberta and has a long history of association with the oil industry. Tar sands are to Canada what Appalachia is to the United States. Both are regions where local rights are trampled for the sake of the short term profits of fossil corporations and where local politics have a history of intimidation to dissenters, misinformation of the public, and extreme corruption.

But this isn’t only our northern neighbor’s problem. Canada has repeatedly used U.S. inaction and demand for oil as an excuse for their continued development of this destructive project that is visible from space. Without stronger action on climate and voiced opposition to the tar sands from the United States, Canada will continue to have a handy excuse for their continued poisoning and exploitation of indigenous communities.

Check out Tar Sands Blow for more information. A call to your senators saying that you oppose our use of tar sands oil would also be appreciated by all of those communities directly impacted by our continued addiction to fossil fuels.