The process to extract the oil from the sands is relatively time consuming and inefficient. Since the area is covered by forest, the forest must first be cut down. For each barrel of oil produced, approximately two tons of dirt above the sands and two tons of tar sands themselves are dug up. To remove the oil from the sands, several barrels of water are heated and then this water, which has become contaminated in the process, is disposed of. This process produces three times more carbon dioxide than traditional drilling.National Geographic: Canadian Oil Scrapping Bottom (March, 2009)

""Few Canadians know that Canada is home to one of the world's largest dams and it is built to hold toxic waste from just one Tar Sands operation,"Rick Smith, the executive director of Environmental Defence.Wilderness Committee: Canada's Tar Sands - Dirty energy muddies green promises

"We're doing cumulative environmental impact assessments both in the oilsands and also in the industrial heartland. We're the only jurisdiction in Canada to put forward a land-use framework and also our water-for-life strategy is well ahead of many jurisdictions in North America."'—Alberta Premier, Ed Stelmach CTV: U.S. mayors call for boycott of Alberta oilsands