Documentary Reflection

April 25, 2026 By: Autumn Rehbein

A recent environmental issue in my region is the continued debate over oil sands development and pipeline expansion in Alberta. One relevant article from CBC News discusses the realities of the northern route pipeline.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-energy-minister-northern-route-pipeline-9.7172566 

This issue is complicated for me because it reflects both economic dependence and environmental risk. Growing up in northern Alberta, I understand how important resource extraction is for jobs and community stability. At the same time, I recognize the environmental consequences, including habitat destruction, carbon emissions, and water contamination. My position is that development should continue, but only under strict environmental regulations with stronger enforcement, transparency, and long-term sustainability planning.

The documentaries in this unit highlighted how civil disobedience has played a major role in environmental movements, especially in raising awareness when legal or political systems fail to act. The article highlights how political leaders are reconsidering pipeline development in response to energy demands and economic pressures. This issue is particularly relevant to me because of my connection to Alberta, where oil and gas play a major role in both the economy and identity of many communities. I find myself conflicted, I understand the economic importance of pipelines for jobs and energy security, but I am also concerned about environmental risks such as oil spills, habitat disruption, and long-term climate impacts. My position is that if projects like this move forward, they must be subject to strict environmental oversight, meaningful consultation with Indigenous communities, and clear accountability measures.

The documentaries in this unit emphasize how civil disobedience has historically been a key part of environmental activism, especially when people feel excluded from decision-making processes. One recent example is the Coastal GasLink protests in British Columbia, where Wet’suwet’en land defenders and supporters used blockades and demonstrations to oppose pipeline construction on their traditional territory.

These protests show how civil disobedience can bring national attention to environmental and Indigenous rights issues that might otherwise be overlooked. Based on both the documentaries and this example, I think civil disobedience can be effective in raising awareness and pressuring governments to respond. However, it does not always lead to immediate change and can create tension between different groups. Overall, I believe civil disobedience plays an important role in environmental movements by forcing difficult conversations, even if long-term solutions require cooperation between governments, industry, and communities.