Allow me to do the math for you as per below: Canadian oil sands' CO2 emissions are 0.17% of the US coal industry and 0.08% of China's total CO2 emissions. Canada's supposed dirty oil is an insignificant drop in the bucket compared to the Americans' very dirty coal and to China's very dirty air. Canadians must recognize that our national pastime has too long been to "sever our noses to spite our faces." Oil and gas made up 21% of Canada's exports in 2006 and tops the list of all Canadian exports. Think of it this way: every Canadian across the country (from St. John's to Victoria) must recognize that 21% of each dollar you have in your account or wallet has gotten there because of oil and gas exports from BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.