The Gulf Oil Crisis- Why I Still Care About the Effects of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Disaster

The following article was written during the Gulf Oil spill of 2010. It was devastating to watch what happened to those who lost their lives, the families who suffered severe setbacks and loss of income. It was tragic and sad to see our waters and wildlife suffer from this horrific accident. BP has been charged with 11 counts of manslaughter, one count of felony obstruction of Congress and numerous environmental crimes. BP has been fined $4 billion in fines to settle the criminal charges after a plea agreement was approved between the federal government and BP. Stay informed. Updated news links follow article.

It’s Day 59 or 60. I’ve lost count. All I know is that too many days have passed and the oil is still spewing into our waters, wildlife continues to die and suffer, marshes are tarred with this black gold, beaches and communities struggle with the clean-up. Families are afraid and angry. There doesn’t seem to be the organization and equipment that is needed to fight this giant. Sometimes I even wonder who cares, but I know there are many.

The Gulf of Mexico is home to not only marine and animal wildlife, but is home for generations of those who have grown up on the Gulf whose lifestyles are supported by this beautiful body of water. Many of us live here because we love the lifestyle and beauty it affords to us freely, each and every day. The sunsets are some of the most beautiful to be seen anywhere in the world, the warm waters lap at our feet as we stroll along the shoreline.

Along the Florida coast, the water is so clear and light, it is pure pleasure to look out over its large body as the pelicans and gulls and egrets fly gracefully over in search of food. To watch a pelican dive into the water and scoop up a fish is one of those connections with nature that thrill everyone lucky enough to see it happen. Sometimes while boating or swimming in the waters, we see the friendly dolphins or gentle manatees. An elegant crane walks along the shore gobbling the tiny fish as they are washed up in a wave, her markings so perfect that no artist could capture this perfection.

The destruction of the Deepwater Horizon is one of the most ominous scenes I have ever observed of a man made environmental disaster. The chilling accounts of those who were on the rig when it happened and lived to tell about it send shock waves throughout my body. I can’t imagine the horror they felt as their ‘home’ away from home went up in flames with enormous billows of black toxic smoke billowing towards the heavens, the flames hissing and roaring, alive like a sea monster raging from the depths of hell itself. In it’s rage, it took the lives of eleven men.

Days follow, nights dark as ink, only lit up by the starlit sky and the lights of sea vessels as they stand nearby. Poison now spreading on and under the surface of the waters, sea life alerted but defenseless if caught in the deathly clutch of it’s reach. Sea turtles washed ashore covered in the greed of mankind, struggling baby birds left to die too soon.

Where is the help? Why is it taking so long? Why are there no emergency plans ready to be engaged? We now know there were ‘warning’ signs flashing like huge red beacons across the water, saying, ARE YOU PREPARED?, DANGER, STOP DRILLING NOW, but they were ignored. There were too many shrill voices screaming, DRILL, BABY, DRILL. Big black gold had met her match, GREED. Who would win this battle? Who would bow down first and worship?

Our own greed, our own need to consume energy like Pac- man gobbles up pac dots until the monsters finally gobble him up, if he’s not smart enough to dodge their attacks. When the monster finally touches us, we lose a life. When there are no more lives left, the game is over. Will humanity in the end be consumed by its own greed?

Is the sleeping giant awakening? Did we require a gentle tap or do we need a rigorous shaking to wake us up from our sleep? I’m not referring to any political motives, simply asking, do we really understand what we’re doing? Do we not understand that when we turn on the lights that we may not need them? We can already see.

Margaret Mead, the great American anthropologist has said, A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. Perhaps one plus one plus one, ad infinitum, can bring the resourceful energy changes that are now necessary in our world.

The Gulf oil crisis affects everyone. Below in the comment box, if you wish, I would love to hear ways in which we can cut back on our addiction to oil. It is so easy to point fingers at the oil companies, the contractors, and government for this crisis, and yet the problem belongs to all of us. It’s human nature to make a villain. This article is not politically focused. I am interested in how we as a collective human race can help conquer the consuming greed and addiction we have to oil. It is essential we look at alternative forms of energy while making sure off- shore drilling regulations are strictly enforced in the oil industry. I care about the Gulf oil crisis and I hope you do as well. rebekahELLE

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