Global Environmental Disaster

The BP Oil Spill

Last year the oil spill had a huge impact on the environment in the Gulf Of Mexico and in the marsh lands of Louisiana. Also the company BP which stands for British Pump was responsible for all the animals and the people who were affected by this mega disaster. The company has almost killed at least 20% of the new population of Atlantic Bluefin tuna that has spawned this year. It will take years to clean up this horrendous oil spill. The oil spill, the largest in American history, gushed for 95 continuous days and spilled nearly 200 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Even to this day they still have at least half of the oil spilled to clean up. They clean the ocean by setting controlled fires and using very fine skimming nets with less than a millimeter holes so oil does get by. No matter what form the oil is in it will be a great danger and threat to wildlife and our ecosystem.

 
As of last week, the estimated number of birds that died was 6,104 dead birds. The sea turtles were less affected but were affected somewhat. There were 605 Dead Sea turtles because of this oil spill. Even mammals including dolphins and other peaceful animals were affected. There were 95 total dead mammals. This oil has a big impact on the reproduction and survival of the more than 400 species that rely on Gulf Coast. These affects also have an effect on Louisiana’s $2.4 billion dollar a year fishing industry and $34 billion-a-year Gulf Coast tourism. The people at home most be wondering how much it might cost to clean this mega oil spill?? Well the cost of the clean-up for the oil spill is estimated around $11 and this number is quickly rising to nearly $20 to $30 billion dollars to clean up.
 
I know everybody has heard of the Exxon Valdez spill that happened years ago. Well the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was 19 times bigger than that so.. This spill was way bigger than the Exxon Valdez spill. On October 13, 2010, Earth justice filed a petition on behalf of the Louisiana Shrimp Association  to write rules so in the future, if this happens again, they will set out exactly how and when dispersants could be used in the future. Ever since the House passed the bill, the Obama Administration lifted the moratorium on deep-sea drilling. Also he has reopened a huge section of the Gulf to fishing. The bill the House passed included that ALL oil companies most take full responsibility of their spill. Also they are responsible for the entire cost the clean up and all other problems that occur during their respective oil spill.
We must take action to the Senate so they can pass their version of the house bill. We must take actions in the lame duck session after the mid- term elections. We must not stop at the oil reform of our off shore drilling industry, either. As Americans we must all understand that costs and damages from this tragic event s a part of a bigger picture of our nation’s dependence on dirty and harmful fossil fuels. To me it is time we end this era of fossil fuels pollution and transitioning to a prosperous and safe clean up of this major oil spill. Also to keep The United States Of America a safe, clean energy economy