It’s been over 40 days since the BP/Deepwater Horizon Gulf of Mexico oil spill began. In that time, we’ve watched the situation escalate from a simple collapsed oil rig to the worst environmental disaster in American history, with an estimated up to 20 to 50 million (160 million by the worst case scenario guess) total gallons released into the ocean so far; the Exxon Valdez spilled 11 million gallons.
Eleven rig workers were killed in the initial explosion, but in the days since the blast they have been far from the only ones to suffer. Scores of dead animals (including dolphins and turtles) have washed up on shore. There are many acres of delicate and precious marshland now filled with oil, with more at risk every day. Fishing bans have been put in place to prevent oil-contaminated animals from entering the food market, and to protect vulnerable populations of sea life. Much of the Gulf coast’s economy depends on this fishing (crab, shrimp, oysters, crawfish, etc), as well as tourism (which is also suffering in the wake of the disaster), and many people are already feeling the effects.
BP has so far tried several ways to shut off the flow of oil. Say what you might about their conduct before and after the spill occurred, and in regards to the clean-up, but they have little to gain from letting the oil continue to gush. Unfortunately, none of the attempts to staunch the oil have worked. The ‘top hat’ didn’t work. The collection tube, though it managed to siphon off nearly 1 million gallons before it was removed, was only a tiny bandage for a gaping wound. And a few days ago we got the news that the ‘top kill’ (trying to clog the oil pipe with thick mud) had also failed. They’re now moving on to something called a ‘Lower Marine Riser Package Cap Containment System’. According to Wikipedia:
"The operational plan first involves cutting and then removing the damaged riser from the top of the failed Blow-Out Preventer (BOP) to leave a cleanly-cut pipe at the top of the BOP’s LMRP. The cap is designed to be connected to a riser from the Discoverer Enterprise drillship and placed over the LMRP with the intention of capturing most of the oil and gas flowing from the well."
Even if it works, this method, with its removal of the damaged riser, will cause the oil flow to increase by an estimated 20% until they’re able to connect the cap. And if it doesn’t work… We don’t know how many other plans BP has up their sleeve, but if they can’t stop it the oil will continue to gush until a relief well is drilled, which could take two more months.
Based on even the lowest estimates, another two months would increase the size of the spill to at least 50 million gallons (or 420 million at the high estimate). PBS has created a widget that shows a real-time counter of the gallons leaked, with an option to choose which gallons-per-day estimate to go by. Along with the ever increasing size of the slick comes the potential for it to spread far beyond the Gulf of Mexico. The oil might drift farther to the east or west, or even get caught in a so-called ‘loop current’, and be pulled up around the entire eastern seaboard. . If you have a brilliant idea of how to stop the leak, BP is asking for suggestions.
It seems like a hopeless situation, but no situation is ever truly hopeless, however desperate things can seem at times. There are ways to help, even a few things that you can do without leaving your computer, or without paying a penny. There are dozens of articles listing ways to provide assistance, but that’s part of the problem: who has the time or patience to look up dozens of articles? With that in mind, we’ve compiled the following ideas for all the people asking, “What can I do?”
For starters, if you live in the United States, you can join Jean-Michel Cousteau in helping to prevent something like this from happening again, by sending an email to your state representatives in opposition to offshore oil drilling. This is one of the easiest things you can do to help. There’s even a pre-generated letter, so if you don’t feel like writing your own message, or can’t find the right words, you can just add your name to that one. You can also sign The Hunger Site’s petition, calling for stricter safety requirements in offshore drilling (the Gulf spill might not have happened if the blowout preventer hadn‘t failed, or if it had had better safety features).
One of the old standbys in troubled times is, of course, the boycott. In this case, the company being boycotted would be BP. If you drive a car that uses gasoline, you can choose to avoid BP’s gas stations and convenience stores (don‘t forget to join the Facebook group). If you choose this route, keep in mind that BP also owns Castrol auto oil, am/pm convenience stores, Wild Bean Cafes, Arco gas stations, and Aral gas stations (in Germany). There have also been a number of public protests outside of various BP locations.
If you know someone who works at a hair salon, dog groomer, or beauty school (or any other place with access to clean hair clippings), you can see if they’d be willing to donate hair clippings to help soak up the oil. Even if you’re just getting a haircut yourself, you can send in the clippings (though mass donations are preferred). The organization collecting the hair, Matter of Trust, is also taking donations of used nylon stockings (which they can stuff the hair clippings into, to make booms). Hair is naturally suited to absorbing oil. More details on how to donate hair and nylons. Unfortunately, BP seems to have been turning away offers of volunteer-made booms, but local organizations are planning to use the booms in their own clean-up efforts.
The economy is hitting just about everyone pretty hard in their wallets, but if you can afford it, there are several charities that you can send money to. Oxfam America is currently taking donations to help communities that are being threatened by the oil spill. Remember that vital fishing industry? If the fish die, what’ll the fishermen do? Hurricane season is right around the corner, and that’s going to be hard enough. Oxfam also has a form to write to your representative. This letter is especially relevant, because it addresses the raising of liability caps on environmental disasters (the current caps are far below the amount of damage that the companies at fault are responsible for). The Greater New Orleans Foundation is accepting donations to help communities affect by the spill, as well.
Various land and animal conservancy organizations (such as the Audubon Society and Oceana are also accepting donations to help protect and clean up the wetlands and animals. For those of you who prefer to donate via cellphone, you can give $10 to the National Wildlife Federation by texting WILDLIFE to 20222. Visit CharityNavigator for a list of recommended charities for helping with the oil spill.
If you happen to live on the Gulf coast, you also have the opportunity to do more hands-on volunteering. There are several organizations looking for people to help with the cleaning and transportation of oiled animals, the cleaning of beaches and marshes, and to simply keep an eye out for the spread of the oil. TakePart.com has a list of organizations looking for volunteers. People who have experience or training working with hazardous materials or wildlife are especially sought-after.
Even if you are unable or unwilling to help in any other way, just taking a moment to post about this situation, and spread the word to others about ways to help can be very beneficial. You might not be able to do anything yourself, but maybe someone who follows you on Twitter can. Maybe you have friends on Facebook, or some other website, who would love someone to tell them how to volunteer. The more people who know about something, the more likely it is that one of them will be able to help.
And, of course, if you feel so inclined, you can pray: for the people, the animals, the water, the plants, even BP if you want (goodness knows they’re going to need it…). Even if you don’t feel like it’ll help, it can’t possibly hurt to send a bit of positive energy into the world.
There’s a John Denver song that says "though it isn’t easy, it’s still as simple as you and me". It won’t be easy, and it won’t be fast, but if everyone who is able lends a hand in their own way, we’ll find solutions and repair the damage. We can only hope.
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