The spill from space May 4, 2010
Posted by Dr. O in Ecology, Environment/Conservation, Policy, Science & Culture.trackback
You can see the oil slick from space
And that’s not a good thing. Pictures from NASA’s Earth Observatory website show the every increasing size of the oil spill that has spread across the gulf coast.
The spill from space. It's huge!
Some recent news statements have said that the slick is smaller today, but scientists warn that it means that the oil has only begun to sink to the bottom of the ocean. While it may not coat bird feathers at that point, it will kill oyster beds, kelp forests, and destroy lots of fish and invertebrates. A major cause of concern for environmentalists and local fishermen.
A failed experiment
Deepwater Horizon exploratory rig in flames
What I think warrants concern here is that this offshore rig was experimental and it was working under guidelines that many in the business thought were unsafe. Additionally, while there are many supposed fail-safes on all rigs…every single piece of safety redundancy failed on the Deep Horizon rig and BP doesn’t seem to be able to deal with the catastrophic aftermath. Lastly, you may have heard about special dispersants being sprayed to “break up” the oil, however questions about their role as toxins to the environment remain. Are we really left with choosing the lesser of two evils here?
What does it all mean?
Regardless of your stance on fossil fuel dependency, big oil’s big business role, and government regulation…this should give us pause to reflect on our current choices and regulations of fossil fuel use.
There was a devoted discussion to the aftermath of this environmental crisis on the Diane Rehm show yesterday. Click here to listen.
Click here for an earlier post discussing the long-term environmental toll oil spills can have.
Follow the slick on your phone
Here is a list of apps that will allow you to follow the gloomy progression of the slick.
abueno526
cassie
delliott572
ecogeeko10
Grace Dible
isotopeeffect
jfalender232
Jill
Kyle
ljsteele
Colleen
mhostetler099
mima525
Dr. O
srstone
tsublett
wframe488
zach
OMINOUS RESOUNDING SILENCE IN THE FACE OF CATACLYSMIC DISASTER.
How can the scope of this ecological disaster be met with the silence of prayers- the silence of scientists and political organizations? No celebrity or world leader is willing to call for more action?
It is time to look to our one world and one life force that unites and sustains us…
We face challenges larger than corporate entity- larger than national pride or ego.. our home – this one earth is now facing destruction in a singular silence that is truly a crime against not just humanity- but all life forms.
Where are the voices that could call out for the best minds and resources on the planet to come together and solve a problem that will devastate a huge piece of our planet and ecologies into the future in untold and ways with permanence that we can not yet understand.
It would be an epic movie— saving the planet by working together, using the best and most immediate resources of the planet.. from all countries. Perhaps a script writer could stir a bit of action—but is it that the President is afraid that some other country would have the skills and tools to limit disaster in the American arena?
Where are the religious leaders- that we are not asked to pray for creation and see our common fragility?
God, by whatever the name
Is saddened for sure
And each soul shares the blame
For a silence dishonoring the gift of the earth….
Use your voice and your prayer
How much power have the people of this planet given to a single company- which certainly can not pay the bill and restore the planet—? And how much power to a president who has such a national ego that his administration is selling out our planet’s future rather ask for international and immediate assistance and expertise?