Stop Poisoning the Boreal Forest
- by: Care2.com
- recipient: Environment Minister Peter Kent
Canada's Boreal forest is a "global treasure" that stabilizes climate, stores carbon, supports ocean health and more. But according to a recent report, the forest could lose the ability to provide clean water and perform its other ecological values because of two little-known threats: abandoned mines and abandoned oil and gas wells.
There are 7,000 abandoned mines and more than 117,000 abandoned oil and gas wells in the Boreal forest (with 97 percent of wells within five km of a river or lake) leaking toxins like oil, brine, wastewater and greenhouse gases.
In many cases, no one is held responsible for these abandoned mines and wells. Tell Federal Environment Minister Peter Kent that the Canadian government must step up to protect Canada's environment and water safety by stopping these mines and wells from poisoning the Boreal forest.
Dear Minister Kent,
Canada's Boreal forest stabilizes climate, stores carbon, supports ocean health and more. But according to a recent report, the forest could lose the ability to provide clean water and perform its other ecological values because of abandoned mines and abandoned oil and gas wells.
[Your comments will be inserted here.]
There are 7,000 abandoned mines and more than 117,000 abandoned oil and gas wells in the Boreal forest (with 97 percent of wells within five km of a river or lake) leaking toxins like oil, brine, wastewater and greenhouse gas.
I urge you to take responsibility for the protection of the Boreal forest by stopping these mines and wells from poisoning the environment.
