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2014/2015• Issue 1 What in the World? • Level 2 - 1 -

The Northern Gateway Pipeline

In one corner: many First Nations communities and citizens who are worried about the potential for an oil spill. In the other: eager business people, the federal and Alberta governments and others who see a big opportunity for Canada. The issue? The Northern Gateway project. It’s causing one of the fiercest environmental showdowns that the country has ever experienced – and the federal government’s recent decision to give the project a green light is unlikely to end the debate.

What Is The Northern Gateway Project?

The Northern Gateway project is a proposal by Canadian oil and gas company Enbridge Inc. to build two parallel pipelines between Bruderheim, Alberta and Kitimat, B.C.

The pipelines, approximately 1,177 kilometres long, would be mainly underground. One would transport about 525,000 barrels of bitumen a day from the oil sands to the West Coast. The other would carry some 193,000 barrels per day of imported natural-gas condensate in the opposite direction.

The $7.9-billion project would also include the building of a new deep-water marine terminal in Kitimat, at the head of Douglas Channel. Here, about 220 supertankers would dock each year to take on the oil and transport it across the Pacific to markets in Asia.

Pipeline Benefits

Enbridge wants to build Northern Gateway to make it easier to sell Alberta’s oil to China and other Pacific Rim countries.

The company says the project will bring important economic benefits to Canadians. It will create about 3,000 construction jobs in B.C. and 560 long-term positions, in addition to more than 1,000 manufacturing and maintenance jobs. It would also produce approximately $2.6 billion in total tax revenues over 30 years.

Pipeline Opponents

Despite the benefits, many people are strongly against the project.

Some don’t want the venture to go ahead because they’re against development of the oil sands in general. They say the process of extracting Alberta’s oil pollutes the air

and water, destroys habitats,

contributes to climate change, and threatens the health of surrounding communities.

Others are against the proposal because they oppose the pipeline itself. Northern Gateway would snake through hundreds of salmon-bearing rivers and streams and the territory of more than 50 First Nations. The fear is that leaks could permanently damage these sensitive ecosystems.

Another concern? Oil tankers carrying bitumen would have to move through 185 kilometres of inner coastal waters. A major oil spill could devastate the coast and marine life.

“First Nations and our allies will protect our rights and the interests of future generations,” says Art Sterritt, executive director of B.C.’s Coastal First Nations. “We will never allow oil tankers into our territorial waters.”

All of the federal opposition parties have come out against the pipeline as well. NDP leader Tom Mulcair called it “folly” and “pure madness” to put supertankers in Douglas Channel. Liberal leader Justin Trudeau said the pipeline threatens the province’s coastal economy and the jobs of


thousands of people who live near the ocean.


Approval, With Conditions

In January 2012, a three-person Joint Review Panel (JRP) began hearing presentations from people on both sides of the debate. The panel, appointed by the federal government, was made up of representatives from the National Energy Board (NEB) and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA). Its job? To determine whether the proposal met federal environmental safety regulations and whether it was in Canada’s public interest to go ahead.

In December 2013, the panel released its decision. It recommended that the federal government approve the project – subject to 209 conditions. So in June, 2014, Ottawa finally gave the project the go-ahead, subject to those requirements.

For the most part, the conditions require Enbridge to take further steps to protect the environment, to consult with British Columbians, and to earn their trust. The oil and gas company will also have to meet five conditions set out by the B.C. government in 2012 before it can go ahead with

construction.

More Work To Be Done

After the approval was granted, Al Monaco, the president and CEO of Enbridge, said the benefits of the pipeline are straightforward. However, he also acknowledged that the company has some work to do convincing the public. Already, some First Nations groups have launched legal challenges against the pipeline.

“If we can’t prove our safety and environmental protection, the economic benefits won’t matter,” he stated.

Pipeline PrimerPipelines move raw fuel over thousands of kilometres, often to refineries near cities and towns. There, the fuel is converted into products we use every day, such as heating oil or gas for cars.

Canada’s pipeline network covers about 825,000 kilometres. Many of our pipelines originate in Western Canada where most of the nation’s oil is found.

Supporters say that pipelines are the safest and most environmentally-friendly way to transport crude, yet they are not failproof. In 2004, the National Energy Board (NEB) estimated large petroleum pipelines experience a spill every 16 years for every 1,000 kilometres of length.

About The Oil SandsOil sand is a naturally occurring mixture of sand, clay, water and bitumen. It is found in several places on Earth, but Canada’s deposits in northern Alberta and Saskatchewan are the largest in the world. They cover over 140,000 square kilometres, and contain enough bitumen to produce as much as 315 billion barrels of oil. That makes them the second-largest crude oil reserve on the planet, next to the one in Saudi Arabia. However, extracting bitumen from oil sand is difficult, and costly. That’s because the substance is very heavy and viscous, similar to cold molasses.

There are two ways bitumen is removed. One is through surface mining. This process involves levelling the forest and draining the soil above a deposit, then scooping out the oil sands with giant shovels before washing the material with hot water to strip the bitumen from the sand. The second method, called ‘in situ’ recovery, is used on oil sands buried more than 75 metres beneath the surface. It involves drilling wells into the sands, then injecting steam to melt the oil underground so it can be pumped up to the surface.

bitumen: a black, thick form of oilCanadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA): a federal agency that provides environmental assessments to help Canadians make decisions about sustainable developmentcondensate: a toxic mix of substances produced by condensation, used to dilute bitumen so it is easier to move

crude: oil that is still in its natural stateNational Energy Board: an agency created in 1959 by the federal government to oversee Canada’s oil and gas industrysupertanker: a ship that is approximately the length of four football fields, used to transport oil or other liquids viscous: thick and sticky; having a high resistance to flow


Weigh The Pros And Cons

1. Using the information in the article and your own thinking, what are some of the reasons for and against the Northern Gateway project? Give specific details to back up each point.

Reasons for Reasons against

2. After completing the organizer, answer the following: Are you more in favour of or more opposed to the Northern Gateway project? Give reasons to support your response.


Between The Lines An inference is a conclusion drawn from evidence. A plausible inference is supported by evidence in the article and is consistent with known facts outside of the article.

What inferences can you draw from the fact that Enbridge wants to sell oil to China and other countries in the Far East?

Beyond The LinesIn June, the Supreme Court of Canada made a landmark ruling on aboriginal rights in Canada, recognizing for the first time the existence of aboriginal title on a particular site not included in a treaty.

a) Find out more about the ruling by visiting the following websites: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/supreme-court-land-title-ruling-may-affect-first-nations-financing/article19435957/#dashboard/follows/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/supreme-court-expands-aboriginal-title-rights-in-unanimous-ruling/article19347252/#dashboard/follows/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/06/26/supreme_court_grants_land_title_to_bc_first_nation_in_landmark_case.html

b) Then, consider: In what ways might this ruling impact Enbridge’s plans to build the Northern Gateway Pipeline? Give reasons to support your response.

Just Talk About ItConsider the following: “Of course I’m afraid of an oil spill. I’m afraid of a car accident, [too]. But do I drive? Yes.” (Kitimat resident Diane Dessureault)

a) What is your understanding of this quote?

b) Respond to this quote. Do you agree or disagree with the speaker’s position? Give reasons to support your response.

On-LineGo to www.news4youth.com and select the What in the World? tab to:

1. Find out more about the Northern Gateway pipeline (or visit http://www.gatewayfacts.ca/, http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/pipeline-primer-what-you-need-to-know-about-northern-gateway-1.1872482 and http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/northern-gateway-pipeline-benefits-vs-concerns-1.1135312).

2. Read about the oil sands on the Alberta government’s oil sands website and the Energy Alberta website (or visit http://www.oilsands.alberta.ca/ and http://www.energy.alberta.ca/OilSands/791.asp).

3. See a map of the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline (or visit http://unistotencamp.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/energy_enbridge_pipeline_tanker_routes_yinkadene_feb2012.jpg).

4 View Tipping Barrels: Journey into the Great Bear – a surfing documentary that explores the Great Bear Rainforest and the potential for environmental devastation in the event of an oil spill (or visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYoIwmnxnQc).

5. Find out what oil is used for (or visit http://www.ranken-energy.com/Products%20from%20Petroleum.htm).


Countdown To The Scottish Referendum

On September 18, 2014, Scottish voters will answer a simple question: “Should Scotland be an independent country?”

Scotland And The U.K.

Today, Scotland is a member of the United Kingdom – a union of neighbouring member nations that also includes England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have their own government with control over local concerns such as health and education. Other decisions, however, are made by a central parliament in London that houses representatives from all four countries. It is from this central body that national defence, economic, and foreign policy decisions have been made for Scotland since it united with England in 1707.

The Road To The Referendum

Today, not everyone is happy with this arrangement. Some Scots feel that their country would be stronger on its own.

In 1934, the Scottish National Party (SNP) was formed to work towards an independent Scotland. In 2011, the party won its first majority in the Scottish Parliament. Now, the SNP, led by First Minister Alex Salmond, is on the verge of holding a referendum that could dramatically change Scotland’s place in the world.

Why Separate?

The campaign rallying support for independence is called Yes Scotland. Its organizers are trying to generate support for their side by appealing to Scottish nationalism and by reminding Scots that decisions about their own futures are often made in London, not Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh.

Having no independent power over immigration policy, foreign affairs, and the oil and gas industry is not in Scotland’s favour, they argue. Independence would “unleash Scotland’s great economic potential” and allow the country to control its own future.

But Isn’t The U.K. Better Together?

Meanwhile, Better Together – the largest organization of parties, organizations, and individuals who are campaigning to convince their fellow citizens to vote against separation – believe that by remaining in the U.K., Scotland can enjoy the best of both worlds. The Scottish people have a proud, strong nation of their own and the security and opportunities that come from being part of one of the largest economies in the world. Full independence, they say, is a “gamble” that could cost the country jobs at home and influence abroad.

Change Ahead

What do both sides agree on? That a “yes” vote would mean major change.

For instance, if Scotland were to gain independence, it would still recognize the Queen of England as its head of state. However, it would assume control of all Scottish issues, from national defence to the postal service.

An independent Scotland would also mean a financial shake-up. One


example: The U.K. has benefited from oil sales worth more than $546 billion over the past 40 years. Since 90 percent of that oil comes from Scotland, the U.K. would lose that revenue. On the other hand, Scotland would also assume responsibility for a share of the U.K.’s national debt, an estimated $2.37 trillion by 2016.

The World Stage

Since a “yes” vote would reduce the collective power of the U.K., leaders from other countries have elected to weigh in on the upcoming vote. U.S. President Barack Obama says he would like the United Kingdom to stay “strong, robust and united.” Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt says Scottish independence “is something we are not looking forward to.”

English author J.K. Rowling, who has lived in Scotland for the past 20 years, will be among the voters this September. She also supports keeping Scotland in the U.K., and has donated $1.6 million to the “no” side.

“If the majority of people in Scotland want independence, I truly hope it is a resounding success. I’d prefer to stay and contribute to a country that has given me more than I can easily express… If we leave, there will be no going back.”

Countdown To The Vote

Election experts believe the Better Together campaign has a slight lead, but the Yes Scotland campaign is close behind. In the end, the result may be decided by the many Scots who are currently undecided – and by one large group that will be voting for the first time.

Thanks to a special one-time amendment, 16- and 17-year-olds will be allowed to cast ballots in the September referendum. Over 80 percent of this new age group – more than 100,000 teens – have already registered to vote. They’re eager to have their say.

What will the outcome be? Scots –

and the rest of the world – will find out in mid-September.


The U.K. and ScotlandAbout 63.7 million people live in the United Kingdom, a region that is 241,590 square kilometres in size. Its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – the total value of goods produced and services provided in the country during one year – is $2.4 trillion, making it the ninth-largest economy in the world.

By contrast, Scotland’s population stands at 5.3 million and its land mass is 78,772 square kilometres. Its GDP, at $219 billion, is the world’s 55th largest.

Did You Know?2014 marks the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, where Scottish King Robert the Bruce and his forces defeated an invading English army and won the independence of his people.

The Canadian ConnectionThe Scottish Referendum hits familiar notes for Canadians.

Like Scotland, Canadian provinces also have powers over health care and education, but are subject to decisions made by Parliament in Ottawa. Twice before, in 1980 and 1995, Quebec – with distinct differences in language, culture, and religious/historical backgrounds from the rest of Canada – has held referendums on whether to become an independent nation.

In the most recent referendum, a whopping 93.52 percent of eligible Quebec voters cast a ballot. Following a dramatic, historic evening spent in front of the television by millions of Canadians, the “non” side won by the slim margin of 50.58 percent to 49.42 percent.

amendment: an alteration or addition to a motion, bill or lawnationalism: devotion and loyalty to one’s own country; patriotism referendum: a vote by the general public, rather than by governmental bodies, on a bill or some other important issue

resounding: complete: used for emphasizing how successful or unsuccessful someone or something isrobust: strong and successful


On The Lines Answer the following in complete sentences:

1. Which four countries make up the United Kingdom?

2. List at least three important facts about the United Kingdom.

3. What powers do the governments of Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland have?

4. What will Scottish voters decide on September 18?

5. What group of Scottish citizens will be voting for the first time in this referendum?

6. Who is First Minister Alex Salmond and what does he want?

7. List at least four powers or responsibilities that the SNP wants to move to Edinburgh from London.

8. What is the largest organization that opposes Mr. Salmond’s goal? What are their reasons?

9. Describe one financial “pro” and one financial “con” concerning Scottish independence.

Between The LinesAn inference is a conclusion drawn from evidence. A plausible inference is supported by evidence in the article and is consistent with known facts outside of the article.

What inference(s) can you draw from the fact Alex Salmond and the SNP temporarily granted the vote to 16- and 17-year-olds so they could cast a ballot in the Scottish referendum?

Beyond The LinesWhen it comes to economic or diplomatic power and influence, strength in numbers is an increasingly common goal in our connected, globalized world. Research other examples of countries that, like the United Kingdom, have teamed up for mutual benefit. Can you find some examples of breakups as well?

Just Talk About It1. In the last national Canadian election, 38.8 percent of eligible voters aged 18-24 came out to vote. (That figure jumps to 75.1 percent for those aged 65-74). What does this mean for the priorities of political parties? Should the voting age be lowered and, if so, what age should be selected? How could we increase voter turnout? Should we be voting online? Should voting be mandatory? Give reasons to support your response.

2. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling donated $1.6 million to support the “no” campaign, but she certainly isn’t the only wealthy person to make a large contribution to a chosen side. Does this give rich people a bigger “voice” than the average citizen? Should there be limits on this kind of political influence? Give reasons to support your response.

3. Do you think that Scotland should be an independent country? What about your own province? Explain.

4. The SNP holds a majority in the Scottish parliament. What does this mean? What do you suppose it means to have a minority government?

On-Line Go to www.news4youth.com and select the What in the World? tab to:

1. Visit the online headquarters of the Better Together and Yes Scotland campaigns (or visit http://bettertogether.net/ and http://yesscotland.net/). Be sure to watch the videos to see how emotion and bias can be used to great effect.

2. Listen to a few Scottish citizens explain their positions in a news broadcast (or visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cmdry4UJp4Y&list=PLFD98F2E5946E55F0).

3. See what Canadians were watching on television the night of October 30th, 1995 (or visit http://www.cbc.ca/archives/categories/politics/federal-politics/separation-anxiety-the-1995-quebec-referendum/day-of-decision.html).

4. Learn about the facts and figures regarding Scotland (or visit http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-24866266).


Trouble In The Gaza Strip

No one wants to see homes and schools blown up by bombs. Luckily, that fear isn’t something Canadians need to deal with on a daily basis. But it’s a different story for people living in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

In that part of the world, violence is a sad fact of life. Israelis and Palestinians alike never know when or where the next bomb will explode. Unfortunately, this situation has gone on for decades.

The Trigger This Time

The most recent trouble is the worst in years. It started after three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped and killed in June. Then, in July, a Palestinian teen was also abducted and killed.

The Israelis and Palestinians blamed each other for these tragedies – and that caused a terrible escalation of tension along an area known as the Gaza Strip.

After these incidents, Palestinians fired over 4,000 rockets into Israel. Israel made nearly 5,000 air strikes on Gaza and sent troops into the territory.

Impact Of The Violence

The impact of the violence was immense. Homes in Gaza were reduced to rubble. Hospitals couldn’t handle the huge number of injured.

Several schools run by the United Nations (UN), where thousands of Palestinians fled to protect themselves, were hit by Israeli shells.

By August 10, when a 72-hour ceasefire was declared, more than 1,900 Palestinians had been killed in the conflict, most of them civilians. Another 209,000 had been displaced. On the Israeli side, 64 soldiers and three civilians had died.

Background To The Crisis

The seeds of the conflict were sown in 1947, when the United Nations passed a resolution to divide Palestine, the region that is today Israel and the Palestinian territories. One part would be for the Jews and one for the mostly-Muslim Arab Palestinians.

Many Jewish people felt this fulfilled their claim to land in the Middle East, because it had been their home in ancient times. As well, they had been persecuted and expelled throughout Europe and Asia from as far back as the third century A.D. After the Holocaust, much of the world recognized the Jewish people’s need for a nation of their own.

However, Palestinians and other Arabs were outraged because they felt their land had been taken away. They had lived in the region over thousands of

years. They resented the new Jewish nation. So, as soon as the state of Israel was declared in 1948, Palestinians and Arabs from five neighbouring nations invaded the small country.

Arab forces thought it would be easy to destroy Israel. Instead, they were defeated. About 700,000 Palestinians were then displaced when Israel took over parts of the land that had been set aside for them.

The Pattern Is Set

Most displaced Palestinians fled to nearby Arab countries. Others moved to the West Bank and Gaza, two Palestinian regions controlled by Arab nations.

Then in 1967, another conflict called the Six Day War pitted Israel against Egypt, Jordan and Syria. Israel took over the West Bank, Gaza and several other territories. It allowed its citizens to build homes in them. It also took control of the city of Jerusalem, which had previously been under international jurisdiction.

The result? Another one million Palestinians were placed under Israeli rule and the anger and violence increased. The Palestinians wanted their land back; Israel wanted security.


Life In Gaza

In 2005, Israel removed its troops and settlers from Gaza. However, it maintained control over Gaza’s borders, waterways and airspace and in 2007 further restricted the movement of goods and people into and out of Gaza. Israel says this blockade protects the nation from attacks by Palestinian militants. But these restrictions are making life in Gaza very difficult.

Gaza is small – just 10 kilometres wide and 40 kilometres long. Yet it is home to 1.8 million Palestinians, who endure extremely crowded conditions. There are few jobs. Food and other vital items are in short supply, too. People can’t easily travel into and out of this territory for schooling and jobs. One-third of the population lives in refugee camps. They rely on the UN for health care, education and other humanitarian services.

The Hamas Factor

The Palestinians don’t have an army. So why do Israelis feel threatened? They fear Hamas, the Islamist group that won an election in Gaza in 2006. Hamas does have rockets, which it fires regularly into Israel. Israelis living nearby must often take to bomb shelters and have tried to adjust to a life of constant fear. Recently, the range of Hamas rocket fire has extended into the heart of Israel. These weapons have struck as far as an airport near Tel Aviv, one of the nation’s largest cities.

Hamas believes Israel, which has a population of 7.9 million, should be destroyed and replaced with an Islamic state. The group, which runs social programs and builds schools, hospitals and religious institutions, has tens of thousands of supporters.

Outside Gaza, however, Hamas is known mainly for its extremist activities. These include sending suicide bombers into Israel to attack civilians. In fact, Israel, the United States, the European Union, Canada

and other countries regard Hamas as a terrorist organization.

Tough Issues Ahead

When the ceasefire went into effect on August 11, Israel withdrew its forces from Gaza and residents began returning home. Rockets and attacks on both sides stopped, and Israel and Hamas sent delegations to Egypt to work on a longer-term truce. Hamas is demanding an end to Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Israel says it needs guarantees that Hamas and other militants in Gaza are disarmed.

Many countries hoped an agreement would be reached and that the ceasefire would endure. Then, attention could be turned to settling the wider dispute between Israel and the Palestinians once and for all.

One way out would see Gaza and the West Bank become a new country – Palestine. However, Israel is wary. It won’t agree to this so-called two-state solution unless it feels safe and Hamas accepts its right to exist. Other outstanding issues revolve around what will happen to Israelis who have settled in the West Bank, who will run the city of Jerusalem and what will happen to the Palestinian refugees.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said lasting peace could only come with a “bigger, broader approach” to the two-state solution. It would have to ensure security for Israel and greater freedoms for the Palestinians.

“I believe that the [current] situation… will concentrate people’s minds on the need to get back to the negotiations and try and resolve the issues of the two states,” Mr. Kerry said.


The HolocaustThe Holocaust is the term for the mass murder of six million Jews – nearly seven out of 10 Jews living in Europe between 1933 and the end of World War II. This terrible act was committed by the German Nazi party, led by Adolf Hitler. The Nazis also murdered people with disabilities, gays, and members of other religious, political or racial groups they hated.

ceasefire: a temporary suspension of fighting, typically one during which peace talks take placeislamist: supporter of a rigid form of the Muslim religionmilitants: fighting, warring, or aggressive people or parties Palestinian territories: two self-ruling territories within Israel – Gaza and the West Bank – where many Palestinians livepersecuted: oppressed because of race or religionrefugee: a person who has been forced to leave a country to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster

suicide bombers: terrorists who carry out a bomb attack, knowing that they will be killed in the explosiontruce: an agreement between enemies or opponents to stop fighting for a certain period of timeUnited Nations: an international organization composed of most of the countries of the world founded to promote peace, security, and economic development

On The Lines

Answer the following in complete sentences:

1. Explain how modern-day Israel was created.

2. What happened shortly after Israel declared independence?

3. Where did many Palestinians go as a result of the 1948 conflict between Israel and Arab countries?

4. When did Israel take over the West Bank and Gaza?

5. Explain what happened in Gaza in 2005.

6. What is the current population of Gaza?

7. Which militant Islamic organization controls Gaza?

8. Identify the objectives of this organization.

9. Explain how the latest round of violence between Israel and Hamas was started.

10. Describe the human cost of the fighting between Israel and Hamas.


What inference(s) can you draw from the fact that over the years, the U.S. has tried hard to settle the dispute between Israel and the Palestinians, but it has repeatedly met with failure?

Beyond The LinesOn a separate piece of paper, create a sociogram about the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. A sociogram is a diagram that uses pictures rather than words to convey information (although occasionally, single words may be used to label elements of the sociogram) and symbols, such as arrows, to show the connections among the facts and details.

A good sociogram includes all important points, clearly shows the relationship among the different points, and is easy to understand.

Just Talk About ItWhat is your understanding of the reasons for the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians? What solutions can you suggest to ending this conflict?


Battling A Deadly Virus

Over the summer, health officials raced to contain the spread of a deadly virus – Ebola. By mid-August, 1,069 people had died in the four West African countries affected since the outbreak began last December: Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. Another 1,975 were ill with the disease. It’s the largest Ebola outbreak the world has ever seen.

“The scale of the current Ebola epidemic is unprecedented in terms of geographic distribution, people infected and deaths,” said Doctors Without Borders, the aid organization treating infected people in the region.

What Is Ebola?

Those infected by Ebola first experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches and pains, and sore throat. That is followed by vomiting, diarrhea, and then external and internal bleeding. There is no vaccine against Ebola, and no known cure for those infected.

The mortality rate is among the highest of any disease: it can be up to 90 percent, although about 60 percent

of those infected are dying in the current epidemic. Hospital care that includes supplying patients with plenty of liquids and oxygen to keep their blood pressure steady, and dealing with other complications as they come up, can greatly improve a victim’s chance of survival.

How Is Ebola Passed On?

Ebola first surfaced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Sudan in 1976. The origin of the virus is unknown, but fruit bats are the most likely host. They can infect animals such as chimpanzees, gorillas and monkeys. The virus can then be passed to humans when they come into contact with infected animals.

Once a person falls sick with Ebola, the virus can be spread from human to human. However, it is not highly contagious, because infection requires direct contact with the blood, body fluids (urine, sweat, saliva) or tissues of infected people who are showing symptoms.

Reasons For The Spread

So why, then, is Ebola spreading so

quickly through West Africa? One reason is unfamiliarity. This is the first time Ebola has appeared in West Africa, and many people are unaware of the causes of the disease and how to prevent its spread. For instance, when someone dies from Ebola, family members often become infected after handling the body during burial preparations.

Another factor is fear. Some people are hiding the illness instead of reporting it and seeking help because they don’t trust the government. They believe the epidemic is a hoax. Meanwhile, they’re infecting others.

Dr. Richard Olds, a tropical disease specialist, gives this scenario: “A loved one goes into a green tent, with people in space suits that don’t look like Africans, and never comes out again; that is an environment that breeds a lot of suspicion and stories that are very counterproductive to the efforts of public health.”

Geography is another contributor. Earlier outbreaks of the virus elsewhere on the African continent


were more easily contained because they happened in just one location. This time, Ebola is occurring across a large area, and in many places at the same time. The affected areas are also tending to be more densely populated and more urban, and the people there are more mobile – all factors that make it easier for the virus to spread.

Meanwhile, there are not enough health care workers or facilities to meet the need. For example, an 80-bed treatment centre that opened up in Liberia’s capital in mid-August filled up immediately, leaving dozens more who showed up to be treated the next

day without help.

“The demands created by this unprecedented outbreak strip the capacity of affected countries in West Africa to respond,” said World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Dr. Margaret Chan.

Response To The Crisis

On August 8, WHO declared the Ebola outbreak an international health emergency that would likely continue for months. The organization urged the world to provide support so Ebola victims could be located and isolated – measures that need to be taken to stop

the outbreak.

The World Bank has stepped up, pledging up to $200 million in emergency funding to pay for medical supplies and salaries for medical staff. Other organizations and countries, including Canada and United States, have sent disease specialists, supplies, trial vaccines and funds to West Africa – but experts say more help is needed, quickly.

“The farther this spreads, the more time, energy and human lives are going to be lost. Don’t wait for this to get any worse,” cautioned Dr. Olds.

About West Africa Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea – the three countries most affected by this Ebola outbreak so far – are neighbours on the western coast of Africa. Guinea is a former French colony.

All three nations are extremely poor. In Sierra Leone nearly half of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. The countries have minerals and other natural resources, but often have not been able to benefit from them due to poor infrastructure, widespread corruption and political instability. Sierra Leone and Liberia are still recovering from a civil war that ended in 2002. All three nations are relying on international assistance to rebuild and develop their economies.

What’s Your Risk?Could Ebola spread to Canada? Not likely, say experts. All points of entry into Canada are being monitored, and any travelers showing symptoms are identified. And because the virus is not highly contagious, even other passengers arriving on the same flight are at low risk of being infected.

As well, Canada has ways to effectively isolate and treat patients who do show signs of a deadly virus. Our country had a chance to practice and refine its response to contagious viruses during the 2003 SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) epidemic that led to the deaths of 44 people in Canada and 750 worldwide.

“SARS was the perfect wake-up call and Ebola is following that… our health care system improved dramatically after SARS,” says Dr. Jay Keystone, a doctor working in the tropical diseases unit at Toronto General Hospital.

colony: a country controlled by another countrycorruption: dishonest or illegal behavior by officials, such as accepting money in exchange for doing things for someoneepidemic: a widespread outbreak of an infectious diseasehoax: a trick in which someone deliberately tells people that something bad is going to happen or that something is true when it is notinfrastructure: the systems within a country that affect how well it operates, such as telephone and transportation systems

subsistence agriculture: farming that produces food for the farmer but little left over to sellunprecedented: never having happened or existed beforeWorld Bank: a bank established in 1944 and headquartered in Washington, D.C. that provides loans, advice and assistance to developing countries around the worldWorld Health Organization: United Nations agency created in 1948 to provide leadership on global health matters, including monitoring and assessing health trends and providing technical support to countries


On The Lines

Answer the following in complete sentences:

1. Describe the symptoms of people infected with the Ebola virus.

2. How did Ebola originate and how does it spread from animals to humans?

3. How does Ebola spread from person to person?

4. Explain how doctors treat Ebola patients.

5. Where and when was the Ebola virus first discovered?

6. List the three African countries most affected by the recent Ebola outbreak.

7. List at least three reasons why Ebola has spread so quickly.

8. How have other countries responded to this crisis?


What inference(s) can you draw from the fact that although the mortality rate for Ebola can be as high as 90 percent, in the current outbreak about 60 percent of those infected are dying?

Beyond The LinesA key to containing the Ebola outbreak is education and awareness about how the disease is spread. Using the information in the article ‘Battling a Deadly Virus’ and any additional information you’re able to find online, design a poster to inform people about Ebola – what it is, how it is spread, and what people need to do to avoid contracting this illness.

A good poster is visually appealing and communicates the necessary information clearly and accurately.

Just Talk About It1. An American company has sent a handful of doses of ZMapp, an experimental drug, to Africa to be administered to a few Ebola patients. It is unknown if this drug is effective in battling Ebola, and if it has any harmful side effects on people. If you were in charge of administering this drug, what criteria would you use to decide who to give it to? If you were an Ebola patient, would you accept or refuse treatment with this drug? Give reasons to support your response.

2. In mid-August, some airlines and governments began imposing restrictions on African travellers, ignoring the advice of medical experts. Korean Air Lines, for instance, suspended all of its flights to Kenya, a country that doesn’t have a single Ebola case and is located 5,000 kilometres from the danger zone.

a) What reasons can you suggest to explain these actions?

b) What impacts might these actions have on non-African countries and travellers? On African countries and travellers? Give reasons to explain your response.

c) Overall, are you more in favour of or more opposed to these restrictions? Explain.

On-LineVisit our student website at www.news4youth.com and click on the What in the World? tab to:

1. View the WHO fact sheet for Ebola (or visit http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/).


2. Find out more about Ebola on the BBC website (or visit http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-26835233). 3. Learn about Doctors Without Borders, the non-governmental organization working in West Africa on the frontlines of the Ebola outbreak (or visit http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/).


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