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*Message Body: President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Obama, We want to first express that we join with the millions of people who have been inspired by your message of hope. You have demonstrated vision in your commitment to take seriously the reality of climate change and diminishing energy resources. We understand that our Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, will be visiting you in the White House on September 16, 2009. For the sake of our future, don’t be fooled - Stephen Harper does not believe in combating climate change. Like your predecessor, he is a proponent of the dirty tar sands industry. As you prepare for his visit, we ask you to recognize the very serious consequences of continued reliance on tar sands oil and the obstacle this presents in moving towards sustainable energy production and consumption in our countries. There are dramatic environmental and social impacts caused by tar sands production. First Nations communities near tar sands development have raised concerns over unusually high rates of rare cancers and the lack of recognition of aboriginal title and treaty rights. The process for extracting and upgrading bitumen from the tar sands is very energy intensive and generates 3 to 5 times as much greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution as the production of conventional oil. Canada is already failing to meet its Kyoto commitments and plans for substantial increases in tar sands oil production for export over the next decade or so will set our country on the wrong path. In addition to contributing to climate change, tar sands production is responsible for the depletion and contamination of water in Alberta and destroys large tracts of boreal forest. Our countries must work towards greater conservation, improved energy efficiency measures and green job development. No new approvals for tar sands development is a first step in reducing further environmental and social destruction. Ultimately we need to prevent increased production and reverse the damage caused. In your discussions with Stephen Harper, we encourage you to raise concerns over the environmental and social problems associated with tar sands production. Sincerely,

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