For Canadians looking for inspiration in the fight for a cleaner and fairer energy future, there’s a valuable new resource available at Two Energy Futures. Created by the activist group UK Tar Sands Network, the website provides visitors with a detailed infographic that shows the contrast between a fossil-fuelled future and a future powered by clean, renewable energy.

Projecting from our current energy usage, the first future shows that continued reliance on fossil fuels would mean a steady expansion of extreme energy sources, including fracking, deep-sea drilling and the tar sands. The climate impacts of these dirty energy sources will be increasingly severe, and the social implications include intensified global conflicts and the further exploitation of vulnerable populations.

While the parameters of our current trajectory should be familiar, the cleaner, fairer energy future contains a surprise: the world’s energy needs could be met using current levels of technology in wind, solar and other renewables. Coupled with transformations in transportation infrastructure and the elimination of the undue political influence of fossil fuel companies, this future presents an outline for averting the worst effects of climate change and building more just societies.

In an interview with DeSmog Canada, UK Tar Sands Network activists Ruthi Brandt and Emily Coats discuss the development of Two Futures, their work in solidarity with indigenous communities in Canada and how the global character of tar sands production needs to be countered by a global movement for climate justice.

1) How did the UK Tar Sands Network come about, and what kind of campaigns/activities have you been involved with to date?

The UK Tar Sands Network was founded in 2009 by Jess Worth and Suzanne Dhaliwal after first hearing about the Canadian tar sands and realising that although this devastating fossil fuel was relatively unknown in the UK, our government, fossil fuel companies and banks were deeply entwined in it.

Our campaigns have two core strands – working in solidarity with First Nations who are at the frontline of tar sands extractions; and building a campaign in the UK to raise awareness about the impacts of the tar sands and rally opposition to the UK's role in supporting the industry.

For the former we support First Nations delegates when they come over to the UK, and Holland, for AGMs of companies that operate or finance tar sands projects on their land, as well as help them reach a UK and European audience with their local campaigns.

In terms of challenging the UK's role in the industry, we have recently focussed on the use of sponsorship by UK oil companies to secure social acceptability for their activities. From sponsorship of the Olympics, where BP was a “sustainability” partner [the Greenwash Gold campaign], to sponsorship of the arts (both BP and Shell sponsor various arts institutions such as the Royal Shakespeare Company [Reclaim Shakespeare Company] or many of the activities at London's Southbank Centre [Shell Out Sounds]); and more recently sponsorship of scientific research in many universities across the UK (such as Shell sponsorship of an Oxford Geoscience lab].

We are also challenging the UK government's cosy relationship with Canadian government and oil industry lobbyists who are trying to weaken a piece of legislation (the 'Fuel Quality Directive') that would discourage tar sands from entering the EU.

2) Following from the last question, why do you think it’s important for people in the UK to mobilize around a Canadian energy project like the tar sands?

Tar sands affect us all because of their direct impacts on the climate, as well as the role they will play in locking us deeper into the fossil fuel path, instead of allowing renewable sources of energy to develop.

People in the UK are also able to elevate the struggle of frontline communities by applying international pressure. We have often found that by taking action in the UK in solidarity with Indigenous communities we can generate much more Canadian media coverage than when action is taken only inside Canada.

Currently, the UK has its most direct chance yet to influence the future viability of the tar sands industry. If the Fuel Quality Directive goes ahead as planned, it would send a clear signal to the industry that tar sands are not welcome in Europe, and could set a precedent for other countries to adopt similar legislation. People in the UK have a key role to play in ensuring our government does not cave into the aggressive lobbying by the Canadian government and oil industry to weaken this legislation.

3) Are the tar sands your main focus or are you active around energy issues in the UK as well? 

Tar sands and the British companies which extract them (BP, Shell) or finance them (RBS) are our main focus. We of course support activities rejecting other fossil fuels, especially extreme energy, like the recent inspiring opposition to the first fracking attempts in the UK.

4) For the Two Energy Futures site, where did the idea come from and how was it developed? What are the sources for the data?

For some time we had felt that much of our work focused on highlighting the problems with tar sands without giving time to rebutting the key arguments being put forward by the industry's proponents.

We knew that there was a wealth of research describing ways that the world could gradually phase out its reliance on fossil fuels, and never need to develop the most carbon-intensive sources such as tar sands, while still allowing an improvement in living standards for the majority of the world. But we knew that this information was generally buried deep in technical documents and did not seem to be getting through to people, who, following the disappointing Copenhagen COP 15 climate change summit, seemed increasingly disillusioned in fighting climate change.

So we set about creating the Two Energy Futures infographic to illustrate that, despite what people tell us, it is perfectly possible for everyone on the planet to have a good standard of living without relying on fossil fuels. We wanted to show people that there IS an alternative.

We also wanted to highlight that even if governments and the private sector follow through with all their current promises to reduce carbon emissions, we would still be starting to see many dangerous and disastrous effects of climate change. On the other hand, if we switch to renewables by 2035, we do have a fair chance of stopping climate change.

We teamed up with researcher and author Danny Chivers, who trawled through various sources to create two possible future energy scenarios. The data for the 'Fossil Fuel Future' came from the International Energy Agency and for the 'Cleaner Fairer Future' it from the latest Zero Carbon Britain report by the Centre for Alternative Technology as well as the book Sustainable Energy Without the Hot Air by the energy expert Dr David MacKay.

5) Who is the audience you’re trying to reach with this project?

We wanted as many people as possible to realise that despite what we're told by oil companies and governments (and everyone else), we don't have to develop fossil fuels. Not even the 'clean ones.' Not even 'in the interim.'

This project was designed for activists and campaigners to use any time someone asked them 'but what's the alternative?' It was also designed to be a tool for us and other campaigners focused on specific issues to be able to situate tar sands, fracking, etc. in the wider struggle for a cleaner energy future

We hope that it can eventually be useful for schools, universities, policymakers, and anyone that questions the ubiquitous narrative that fossil fuels are the only way forward.

6) What do you perceive as the main barriers to action on energy and climate? Do you think that people are concerned that a transition to a clean energy future would lower their standard of living, for example?

The main barriers are political and stem from economic interests. However, many people, though worried about climate change (or other ill effects of fossil fuels), believe that we need fossil fuels in order to maintain a modern society. The aim of the website is to therefore address these concerns and show that the barriers are political not technological.

Though energy use will need to change for the fossil fuel-free future, the website highlights the fact that – if done correctly – it won't have adverse impact on living standards, but rather the opposite. Which is why we chose to call this future Cleaner, Fairer Future.

7) Tell me a bit about the Action Wall component of the site and what you’re hoping to see come out of it.

The Action Wall is where we offer people ways to become engaged with the ideas the website stands for. Its main feature is a world map where people are invited to share what they are doing in order to bring about this cleaner and fairer world.

We hope that many people will share their stories, and the map will be covered with actions from all over the world. This will – hopefully – have the dual effect of (1) strengthening those that are already acting, reminding them that they are not alone, but rather part of a huge, global movement; and (2) encouraging more people to become active, both by showcasing the strength of the movement, and by helping them get inspired by projects they might want to try to emulate, or join.

To learn more visit Two Energy Futures, or check out the following links for more information on clean energy activism in the UK:

Greenwash Gold campaign

Reclaim Shakespeare Company 

Shell Out Sounds

Shell sponsorship of an Oxford Geoscience lab 

The Fuel Quality Directive 

Opposition to first fracking attempts in the UK

Zero Carbon Britain 

The Narwhal’s reporters are telling environment stories you won’t read about anywhere else. Stay in the loop by signing up for our free weekly dose of independent journalism.

Last week, 500 activists from 133 nations gathered in Istanbul to send a message for Canada to "Stop Tar Sands Destruction," as part of the Global Power Shift summit to mobilize against climate change.

Among the participants is Canadian activist Brigette DePape, who rose to prominence after being fired from her position as a Senate Page for holding a sign saying "Stop Harper!" in Senate. DePape said that she was amazed "to see a global movement rising to fight dirty energy around the planet, and to see that focused on the tar sands is incredible."

DePape added that they would be "bringing this message from the world back home and right to heart of the destruction next week." She emphasized that the message was already being spread at home as well, "with civil disobedience actions around Line 9 this week, and events like the Healing Walk to bring people together and start turning the tide away from dirty energy."

Nine of the activists chosen to participate in Global Power Shift are from Canada. The group includes First Nations organizers, young workers, climate and community activists, and artists. All will be involved in expanding the youth climate movement in Canada after the global summit.

"We are seeing an international climate movement committed to standing with those on the front line of tar sands extraction and those who are facing the brunt of the impacts of climate change sweeping the globe" said Suzanne Dhaliwal of the UK Tar Sands Network.  

The summit's global statement against tar sands development comes before the 4th Annual Healing Walk, taking place from July 5-6 in Fort McMurray, Alberta. The Healing Walk is intended to be a productive event, encouraging local community members to participate in finding solutions to the social, economic and environmental repercussions of tar sands development.

"We welcome everyone to the Healing Walk, and we really hope that those responsible for the destruction of the Tar Sands will come to see the destructive impacts first-hand," said Eriel Deranger, organizer of the Healing Walk, and a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation.

Planned by global grassroots organization 350.org, the Global Power Shift summit has taken two years of preparation to reach fruition. The event is proceeding despite, and in solidarity with, the current protests sparked by the Turkish government's plan to replace one of Istanbul's last green spaces, Taksim Gezi Park, with a shopping mall.

Joshua Kahn Russell, who helped create the summit's curriculum, writes for rabble.ca, that when "[we] envisioned convening this broad movement convergence two years ago, we never could have imagined that we would be holding this event in the midst of a popular uprising."

Russell adds that the coincidence feels "appropriate," as Global Power Shift is meant to trigger a "new phase of an international climate movement" that "disrupts the status quo and captures the public imagination…like the Taksim Square activists have done."

According to the Global Power Shift website, the "week-long summit will be a chance for us to refine skills, create personal bonds and community, share a global vision for change, and strategize how to organize different actions and similar summits back home."

The Narwhal’s reporters are telling environment stories you won’t read about anywhere else. Stay in the loop by signing up for our free weekly dose of independent journalism.

As promised, multiple protests against the tar sands greeted Prime Minister Stephen Harper Thursday in London, where he became the first Canadian prime minister to address British Parliament since 1944. Harper has been using his UK trip to lobby against the proposed European Union (EU) fuel quality directive, which would label oil from the Albertan tar sands as 'highly polluting' to deter imports into Europe.

Linda Solomon writes for the Vancouver Observer, that "50 campaigners representing 30 environmental groups gathered outside the UK Parliament [to] greet Prime Minister Stephen Harper's car with anti-tar sands banners, placards and chants." One of them, Suzanne Dhaliwal, was dressed as Bridgette DePape, the Senate Page who was fired in 2011 for holding up a "Stop Harper" sign on the Canadian Senate floor.

The group protest outside Parliament was organized by the UK Tar Sands Network (TSN). Jess Worth of the TSN is quoted as saying that Thursday's protests "demonstrate just how strongly people in the UK feel about the Harper government's attempts to force their dirty tar sands oil onto Europe."

The TSN posted a YouTube video of the protest.

In a separate protest, members of an activist group calling themselves "Love Canada, Hate Tar Sands" (LCHTS) attempted to "block the Sovereign's Entrance Gate to the room where Harper was speaking," and scaled the roof of the Parliament building to try and interrupt Harper during his speech.

According to the BBC, "shouting was heard" inside, but the "speech went ahead." They also report that two women were arrested outside "on suspicion of criminal damage," and three others "detained" by Parliamentary security for trying to get into "non-public rooms."

On their tumblr blog, LCHTS posted videos of their protest on the rooftop of Parliament. They also posted a statement, saying:

"From further marginalising historically shunted Indigenous people, to muzzling world class climate scientists, Prime Minister Harper has shown time and again that nothing will stand between him and developing dirty tar sands, even though tar sands will create unprecedented global warming. Now Harper brings his circus of oil peddlers to Europe to interfere in EU climate legislation, to push his monstrous industry onto Europeans."

They add that by staging Thursday's protest they "have acted, in solidarity with those resisting Harper everywhere, to STOP CLIMATE CRIMINAL HARPER."

British Prime Minister David Cameron's government has proven a staunch supporter of Harper's tar sands push. But some in the UK government are pushing back.

The TSN reports on their site that British MPs have tabled an Early Day Motion to recognize the damaging effects of tar sands exploitation, resist Canadian lobbying against the EU fuel quality directive, and keep tar sands oil imports out of Europe. 7 MPs from 4 different parties have signed. Solomon notes that "other MPs will now be encouraged to sign, in the run-up to an EU Member States' vote later this year."

Harper's final destination in Europe is the G8 Summit in Northern Ireland this week. At G8, Harper is expected to continue lobbying against the EU fuel quality directive. He's also likely to advocate for the Canada-European Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) which, according to citizens' organization the Council of Canadians, could support tar sands expansion by "[empowering] European corporations to attack environmental and health measures" and "[restricting] our Internet freedom [by criminalizing] certain online behaviour."

Image Credit: Rajan Zaveri / No Tar Sands Facebook Page

The Narwhal’s reporters are telling environment stories you won’t read about anywhere else. Stay in the loop by signing up for our free weekly dose of independent journalism.

As Prime Minister Stephen Harper prepares to give a speech to the British Parliament this Thursday, a coalition of environmental groups prepares to greet his arrival at Parliament in London with protests against the tar sands.

Jason Fekete writes for Postmedia News, that "Canada's bitumen production [from the Albertan tar sands] will likely be a popular topic during Harper's eight-day trip to Europe."

Harper left for Europe on Tuesday, along with Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver and International Trade Minister Ed Fast. The trip will end with the G8 Summit in Northern Ireland on June 17-18. At G8, the somewhat contradictory goals of championing the tar sands and touting Canada as a dependable leader in clean energy will likely be high on Harper's agenda.

The Harper contingent will also be looking to use the trip to lobby against the proposed European Union (EU) fuel quality directive which would label tar sands oil as high-polluting.

The European Commission hopes the fuel quality directive will help "cut emissions by a cumulative total of 500 million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2020" by preventing tar sands oil imports into Europe, to reach the goal of a ten per cent cut in GHG emissions by that year. Canada has staunchly resisted the directive, claiming it unfairly targets tar sands oil over other fuels.

Fekete quotes Harper's spokesman, Andrew MacDougall, as saying that the Canadian government wants tar sands crude "judged on science and in fair comparison with other sources of oil," rather than "arbitrary standards." The Harper government hasn't addressed the fact that the EU directive is based on a Stanford University scientific study that confirms tar sands oil as highly polluting in "fair comparison" with other fuels.

It's also likely that Harper will try to meet with President Obama at G8 to discuss the TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline linking tar sands crude from Alberta to Texas Gulf Coast refineries. Obama is set to make a decision on whether to approve Keystone XL by the end of the year.

But before G8 is Harper's London stop, where he will be the first Canadian prime minister to address the British Parliament since 1944. The UK Tar Sands Network, who are organizing Thursday's protest, note that addressing parliament is "normally reserved for the most highly-respected dignitaries," and that "Harper does not deserve this honour."

That Harper was bestowed this honour is unsurprising, considering that British Prime Minister David Cameron's government has been a loyal ally in Canada's push against the EU fuel quality directive. The UK Tar Sands Network cites this "destructive 'special' relationship" between the two countries as one of the reasons for Thursday's protest. They aim to show Harper that "there is huge opposition to tar sands in the UK."

Suzanne Dhaliwal, a Canadian citizen and member of the UK Tar Sands Network says "Harper may be coming here hoping to escape the multiple controversies dogging him at home, but the tar sands are a scandal of global proportions, because the industry's emissions could tip the world over the edge into runaway climate change."

"The Canadian government's campaign of misinformation against the EU Fuel Quality Directive is particularly outrageous," she added.

"They are actively trying to prevent Europe passing effective climate legislation by claiming it is arbitrary, unscientific and unfair. In reality, it is none of these things. It is non-discriminatory, based on solid peer-reviewed science, and covers all types of fuel. So we will be protesting Harper's visit, in solidarity with Indigenous communities and all those opposing the tar sands in Canada."

On their website and a Facebook page for the protest, the group raises concerns that the Harper government's "unprecedented lobbying campaign in the EU, with the energetic support of the UK government and British oil companies like Shell and BP" have stalled the fuel quality directive, and may entirely squash it.

In tandem with efforts in Europe, Fekete observes that Harper's government has also been "launching a public relations advertising offensive on American lawmakers in recent weeks — running ads in Washington D.C. newspapers, along with the launch of a new government website" to drum up US support for Keystone XL. The new government website announces that Canada is "one of the few major suppliers of crude oil…taking concrete action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions," and boasts a "world-class  environmental  monitoring system…founded on science and transparency."   

The website doesn't mention Canada's opposition to the EU fuel quality directive to reduce GHG emissions, or accusations that the Harper government is muzzling scientists from speaking out on climate change. The government will be spending 16.5 million dollars on tar sands advertising in the upcoming year.

But despite what Jess Worth of the UK Tar Sands Network calls "absolutely extraordinary and relentless" lobbying by the Harper government, the divide between Canada's advertised image as "world environmental leader" and its aspirations towards being the chief global exporter of high-polluting tar sands oil seems clear to those preparing to protest in London on Thursday.

Image Credit: David Hoffman / Flickr

The Narwhal’s reporters are telling environment stories you won’t read about anywhere else. Stay in the loop by signing up for our free weekly dose of independent journalism.