Eleven weeks ago BP's Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded into the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 workers. Since the explosion thousands upon thousands of barrels of oil have spewed into this precious ecosystem, hundreds of wildlife have been affected, the fishing industry has been decimated, and an entire culture is being threatened.
Greenpeace scientists and volunteers have been in the Gulf since week one collecting data and exposing the largest environmental disaster of our time. Using our boats, planes and expertise we've helped reporters gain access to hard to reach areas and documented the disaster ourselves every step of the way. Here are some of our most powerful photos, along with those of others, to share with you what we've seen in the past 11 weeks. On Independence Day this weekend, let us remember that we have yet to achieve energy independence from dirty and harmful fossil fuels.
I visited Louisiana on May 20 to see the devastation first hand. Here I am knee deep in oil sludge from the Deepwater Horizon wellhead along the break water in Southpass where the Mississippi River meets the Gulf of Mexico. As we celebrate our country this weekend we must also celebrate an energy future that will not cause this kind of destruction to our planet and its people.
View the Greenpeace Oil Spill Flickr Page here.
View the Greenpeace Oil Spill News Page here.
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petrochemical smog) occurs when specific local and meteorological conditions allow
SO2 concentrations to build up in areas where it can be inhaled by people, causing
serious respiratory health problems. H2S and other volatile sulphur compounds are
themselves acutely toxic, if inhaled, even at concentrations as low as 50 parts per
million.
this is what will get the workers and any skin contact...so sad, be safe clean up workers!
See What to do (updated) at http://www.aesopinstitute.org
Ironically, moving beyond oil and other fossil fuels appears possible much more rapidly than is generally believed.
A very thin film of oil on the surface in the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans threatens to raise temperatures toward a catastrophic Tipping Point.
Consider the possibility that a massive mobilization is needed to combat what might be looming if the oil is coming from fissures in the seafloor and the leak cannot be capped.
An adequate response might, ironically, generate an enormous number of jobs and provide the missing economic stimulus.
Little known breakthroughs involving radically new energy technologies can supersede oil. See Moving Beyond Oil on the same Aesop Institute website.
Future cars can become power plants when parked, wirelessly selling electricity.
Within very few years, with 24/7 development, such vehicles might be able to sell sufficient power to pay their own way.
Cars and trucks would begin to cost-competitively supersede any need for gasoline and oil.
We need far more robust and sensible steps to massively attack the oil in the Gulf and urgently reduce the danger as it flows toward the Atlantic ocean.
Better understanding of the facts and bold leadership is urgently needed!
This catastrophe is a wake up call! Throw emergency resources into action!
Gaining independence from oil will require greater effort than we managed waging WWII.