It Strikes Me Funny: Fossil treasure cache, environmental carnage

[“The news is grim. The accelerating disintegration of Arctic Sea ice means that summer ice will probably disappear within the next decade. The dark open water will absorb more solar radiation than reflective white ice, significantly increasing the rate of global warming.” C. Hedges, Death of the Liberal Class]

On CBC News online the headline reads ‘Fossil treasure trove found at oilsands’, because last week, during her shift operating a fine piece of heavy equipment, Maggy Horvath came across a nearly complete plesiosaur fossil.

This gave one writer cause to report, “Alberta's oilsands is not just producing black gold — they're also yielding a treasure trove of ancient reptile and dinosaur fossils. The area, which contains one of the largest proven crude oil reserves in the world, was once covered by an ancient sea. It's the 10th fossil discovered on leases held by the oil giant.

This is great news of course for those who back the world’s largest oilsand’s development in search of black gold, because while Canadians are distracted by ancient bones there will be little thought given or talk about the oilsands as Canada’s largest CO2 producer and contributer to climate instability and as one of the largest environmental scars on planet Earth.

"I think it's great that I'm part of this,” said Horvath. “It felt pretty good to call my son and let him know that I found a prehistoric fossil while working in the mine.”

I’m sure anyone who unearthed a rare fossil would feel much the same way. It would feel good to see a part of our natural history come to life, so to speak, especially in the midst of one of mankind’s most degrading digs. A museum piece is found, thus making the largest scar upon our planet seem more worthwhile.


I write these words because Syncrude’s press release about the find and the media’s story is all one-sided.

That is, a treasure cache is held up to the light of day while the greater story - one of permanent, irreparable destruction to the air, water and land - is buried in the oilsands, thus allowing the illusion of mankind’s unstoppable progress to continue for another week, another month, another year.

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Please click here for a look at 'Climate Change Concerns' related to ice shelves and ozone.

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