The Costs of an oil Catastrophe

Sun, 23 May 2010 21:51:00 GMT

       It has been a month now since the release of over 100K gallons of crude oil into the ocean. Even for those that have not been watching the news, it must surely come as a surprise and anger as to why BP has been so slow and ineffective at controlling the damage. It will and has started to damage the incomes of tens of thousands of people. Estimates are that 30 percent or more of fishing in the Gulf Region has been reduced. What will happen if that value goes to 50% or even 75%. How many families will no longer be able to earn a living? Not only that, will the costs of seafood increase exponentially? Worst is how permanent will the damage be to the beaches and to the ecosystem of the Ocean and wetlands?
      To make an analogy people were aware of Deforestation and the world wide method of stripping the lands for growth and profit. Since the 1980’s significant climate change has taken place, and change will continue for some time. But 30 years ago not many could for see the drastic effects that we see today, Like deforestation, drastic and severe oil pollution will none the less create irreversible effects for decades to come. Why then do the parties responsible for the pollution not show more concern and interest in controlling the oil purge and delay finding a permanent solution? Even more eye-raising is the fact that the Federal Agencies overseeing such accidents have not been swift and bold to enforce capture and cleanup. If BP has been so slow to act, then they should now have to follow the direction of the Government agencies. If BP is unable to lead, then they should step down to be led.
      Regardless of who takes the reigns, something must be done, and done so without delay. Many people I have talked with about this topic, have pointed out the fact that if they were unable to perform their job duties, that they would be in a spot to lose their job. Why then does a oil conglomerate have the power to fight back against regulation and responsibility. Try to remember back when you went to a southern beach, or deep sea fishing. Think about Louisiana. Think about the Atlantic, and Myrtle Beach and St. Simons or Hilton Head. Was it nice when you went? Were beach sands nice, and the ocean clear? Was the fishing great? Now imagine if in your lifetime that changes. Maybe it changes for 5, 10, 15 years. What about families wanting to take their children to the beach for the first time? What about Dads and Moms floating in the ocean with their children? What about Couples walking the coast lines at sunset talking and getting to know each other better? America has a huge responsibility to put pressure on BP and we also have a long and tedious process of making sure all parties start and continue to clean up for as long as it takes. Fines are only a way for big businesses to ignore their responsibilites and actions. Where does America go from here....

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The Costs of an oil Catastrophe