Apart from the cumulative repercussions resulting from millions of automobiles burning oil for fuel the world over, there are also the sudden catastrophes which result from time to time when massive oil operations spill their lethal load. This threat became reality last week when the rig Deepwater Horizon, operated by BP, exploded and then sank off the coast of Louisiana.
The massive oil spill is predicted to reach land by Friday, and, after discussions with five Gulf state governors, the U.S. Government declared the oil leak a disaster of ‘national significance’. While pledging immediate aid to counteract the situation, U.S. officials say the primary responsibility, and ultimately the price tag for recovery efforts, rests squarely on the shoulders of the oil company BP PLC.
But the company has been slow to acknowledge the urgency of the situation, only conceding Thursday that the leak may be as bad as government estimates say it is. The U.S. Coast Guard says that a new leak has been found which looks to be five times greater than what was previously thought and estimates that as much as 5000 barrels a day are escaping. In the end, as much as 100,000 barrels or 4.2 million gallons of oil could be spewed into the Gulf, before rescue operations successfully halt the leak. However, the worst oil spill in U.S. history, the Exxon Valdez, leaked 11 million gallons in 1989 off the south coast of Alaska.
Emergency measures to deal with the spill include using booms, chemical dispersants and attempts to burn the oil off the surface of the water. However, bad weather has hampered efforts. As well, after failing to halt the leak by trying to activate a shut-off device with submersible robots, officials are considering drilling another well to control the flow, but this would require much time and effort as the well head is at a distance of 5000 feet underwater.
The amount of resources and funds required for cleanup is huge. Industries such as shrimp and other seafood businesses will be negatively impacted. But the heaviest implications will be ecological. As the spill moves ominously closer to the mouth of the Mississippi, biologically diverse coastal areas and fragile wetlands from Florida to Texas are at risk. Fish, birds, and other wildlife could die by the thousands.
The situation in the Gulf of Mexico is a reminder of the poor marks we deserve for stewardship of the earth. Grave environmental consequences resulting from accidents or human error cannot be undone overnight – they leave a permanent smudge on our ‘caretakers’ report card.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I still don’t understand why Harper is pushing for more oil rigs in Canadian waters. I tried hitting my head against a wall to see if it made any sense, but it only hurt.
The images of this disaster is a stark reminder that we shouldn’t be weaning ourselves from oil, but severing it off outright.
Pretty scary stuff. What have they been saying about 2012?
This is really scary and very alarming. I hope this oil spill crisis will be over soon. So help us God
We neglect to consider the impact producing oil has on our environment. Spills are a common place and we need to focus on reducing those completely.
{ 1 trackback }