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Detroit and Windsor

Photo:windsorstar.com

Detroit  (and Windsor) struggle with tar sands refinery – in pictures

This series of photographs takes a closer look at the people the petroleum coke piles are affecting, the areas around the stockpiles and where it is being produced.

First, a personal note: I was greatly saddened to read the articles below and to see the pictures. I hold a special place in my heart for Windsor, Ontario. My wife, Annie, and I emigrated to Canada in the mid-1970s. We went to Windsor, where my wife got a position at Windsor Cancer Clinic, Metropolitan General Hospital, whilst I went to the University of Windsor, where I studied for my BA and MA in Economics. Our oldest son, Kevin was born in Windsor in 1982. Whilst we were in Windsor, my brother, Kambiz, and my sister, Kiyan, were in Windsor too, studying at the University of Windsor. Moreover, my sister was married to Sasan in Windsor, whom was studying at the University with us all. Moreover, we were very fortunate to meet and make lasting friendship with many wonderful friends in Windsor.

"One day in November, mysterious black piles appeared on the banks of the Detroit River, not far from the Motor City's downtown and right next to the Ambassador Bridge, the busiest international crossing in North America. These huge stockpiles of petroleum coke, the byproduct of refining tar sands oil at the Marathon refinery in south-west Detroit, are owned by Koch Carbon, run by businessmen Charles and David Koch."

See the pictures:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2013/jun/07/detroit-petroleum-coke-environment-pictures

See the latest report on the Most Destructive Project on Earth: CANADA’S TOXIC TAR SANDS (25 January 2024)- Canadian tar sands pollution is up to 6,300% higher than reported, study finds

Read more:

Detroit's mountains of petroleum coke are 'dirtier than the dirtiest fuel'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/07/detroit-petroleum-coke-dirty-keystone

Mining in Canada: No native spirituality, No children dancing, No prayers- Ottawa urged

http://www.gcgi.info/blog/290-mining-in-canada-no-native-spirituality-no-children-dancing-no-prayers-ottawa-urged-

Mother Earth is Crying: A Path to Spiritual Ecology and Sustainability

http://www.gcgi.info/blog/395-mother-earth-is-crying-a-path-to-spiritual-ecology-and-sustainability