American Empire and the Canadian Oil Sands shows that the unconventional fossil fuels revolution that is taking place in North America must be understood in light of the great power status of the US. Development of the Canadian oil sands would enhance the political position of the US on the world stage—both by powering its domestic economy and giving the US a potentially important asset as conventional fossil fuels are declining (e.g., peak oil). While the unconventional fossil fuels revolution in North America has obvious geopolitical implications, it also holds tremendous potential for causing environmental damage—both in terms of global warming and the local and regional damage created by extracting Canadian oil sands and natural gas and oil from shale.