In the upcoming issue of National Geographic, an article on the Alberta oilsands is generating reaction among local environmental groups and the oil industry.
The March article, using language like "dark satanic mills", and pictures of sludge-covered tailings ponds will reach an estimated 10 million National Geographic readers around the world.
"The fact that for the first time many readers are going to start hearing about some of the implications that tarsands development has, to see for the first time, you know what a toxic tarpit looks like, that I think is going to speak very loudly," said Mike Hudema with Greenpeace Canada.
The author of the articles writes, "By 2020, the province's carbon emissions will level off, and by 2050, they will decline to 15 per cent below their 2005 levels. More than the U.S. government, say, has committed to in a credible way."
Alberta Energy describes the coverage as "fair", and is pleased that the author acknowledges the province's work of carbon emissions.
"When you compare well to wheels in terms of the cost of producing a barrel of oil from the oilsands versus the cost of shipping oil from the Middle East over on a tanker, we're confident we can stack up," said Jason Chance with Alberta Energy.
Oilsands production still faces the description of "dirty oil" and the article may make it more difficult to shed that label.
The province confirmed the magazine conducted a 45-minute interview with Ed Stelmach, but his comments do not appear until the very last paragraph when he acknowledges, "The struggle to balance the needs of today and tomorrow."
With files from Laura Tupper
