In the name of environmental protection, America is about to set fire to the Gulf of Mexico. In an effort to stop a rapidly spreading oil slick from the Deepwater Horizon rig sinking from reaching the wetlands of the Gulf states crews are preparing to set fire to the slick that's now growing by 42,000 gallons of oil a day leaking from the seabed.
How long will the fire be burning? It could keep going until BP is able to drill a relief well to ease pressure at the leak site. They're hoping to get that done in just - three months!
The slick is now just 20-miles away from the mouth of the Mississippi river.
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CNN is reporting that the Coast Guard has raised the estimate of oil leaking from the well head to 5,000 barrels a day. Despite the burning, this amount of oil is sure to create an environmental disaster in the Louisiana wetlands, as well as greatly impact shrimp fishermen.
Damn oil anyway! There are alternatives but we have to change our ways. Watched an interesting documentary on permaculture vs. agriculture, showing how forest gardens can be used for pastureland as well as to grow fruit and veggies without mechanized farming, fertilizers and pesticides. Agriculture is second only to transportation for oil usage so it would be a good alternative, if only we were willing to give up our dependency on imported foods.
Perhaps images of the Gulf of Mexico on fire and oil soaked wildlife will make at least some people reconsider that second car and seek out locally grown food.
Your last sentence LMA was one of redemptive hope. We need that but it's getting harder by the month to keep it alive.
If the Exxon Valdez spill did not change our ways, nothing probably will, not even this sickening affair. However, as long as there are people fighting for change, there is hope.
"However, as long as there are people fighting for change, there is hope."
A campaign focused on the things people agree about, the common ground so to speak, is the best focus for the time being. Battles over such things as the tar sands is where the deep divisions come from, particularly in a time of economic downturn.
If people from the doubting side can be warmed up with programs like grow local, buy local, support your neighbor and your community, and reduction of fossil fuel use, the rest of what needs to be accomplished may come without so much tooth pulling and mud slinging.
It is easier to bring someone onside, who has seen some reasonable programs and come to accept them as logical, than to bring someone along who just been exposed to the things such as the villification of David Suzuki. Dr. Fruitfly as the tight on the right like to call him. They especially like to pick on his Bus and his house.
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