Efforts to eliminate carbon pollution should not divert attention from other pressing issues that have accompanied oil-sands development (see W. J. Palen et al. Nature 510, 465–467; 2014), such as indigenous rights, health inequities and social problems. In Canada, for example, housing shortages, substance abuse and food insecurity have all been attributed to Alberta's large-scale oil-sands production.

Furthermore, halting production from oil sands will not solve climate or environmental problems at a stroke. In our view, a better approach would be to ban fuels that emit large amounts of carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and harmful gases. This moratorium might include fuels such as coal, lignite, shale gas, and oil from tar sands or shale (see also A. Leach and B. Boskovic Nature 511, 534; 2014).

In summary, it is important for energy and environmental policies to be discussed alongside those that involve public health, sustainable economic development, job creation and social justice (see also T. Measham and D. Fleming Nature 510, 473; 2014).