Some Thoughts on the Gulf Oil Spill

Right now we can not possibly imagine the long lasting effects of this devastating oil spill. I don't think anyone knows the extent to which our environment, wildlife species and regional economies will be effected by this but we can imagine. Take this for example, the oil slick is bigger than the size of Puerto Rico. Its headed towards the shore and should reach there within days.

It makes my stomach churn to know that this was a man made disaster. I realize it was an accident (although I never really do rule out conspiracy theories). Isn't it coincidental that this explosion happened within days of Obama's announcement that he would pursue more offshore drilling? Either way, whats done is done and now we must suffer the consequences. The carelessness with our planet is perpetual. Will we ever truly learn from our mistakes? When will we put our environment before our need for human necessity? Without a sustainable environment, there will be no use for oil because the human race will cease to exist. Does anyone get it? Right now its all short sightedness, quick profits, cheaper short term prices, etc. At what cost?

Well now there is no turning back. BP is asking the fisherman (who will all now be out of work) to help with cleanup efforts. The cleanup will be a very long term project probably costing in the billions. How much will BP have to pay? They have a liability cap of $75 million right now, will new legislation change that amount? Will BP do the right thing and pay for the entire cleanup regardless of how much it costs? Can the region actually be cleaned up properly? Or will the beaches and wildlife suffer indeterminably? These are all questions that will eventually be answered. In the meantime, here is a great blog that will keep you up to date on the latest developments. http://unearthed.earthjustice.org/

And now a poignant quote taken from Andrew Sullivan of the Atlantic Blog:

These wounds, these temperatures, these destructive weather patterns are symptoms of a planet in distress. At some point, those of us who see our relationship to the natural world as something more than mere economics—as something sacred—need to face up to the fact that our civilization is not taking this sacredness seriously enough. When do we ask ourselves: by what right do humans believe we can despoil the earth for every other species with impunity? By what self-love have we granted ourselves not just dominion over the earth but wanton exploitation of its every treasure?

Is there no point at which we can say: this is enough?