Deepwater Horizon...nearly two years on!

(Source: Planet for Life)

It is nearly the two year anniversary of the biggest oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico caused by a drilling rig called the Deepwater Horizon. I can't believe that it has been two years, but the effects of this event are still being felt in the surrounding marine and terrestrial environments.

The National Geographic has an interesting article on their website by Brian Handwerk, describing some of the activities that are still being carried out on the beaches and how much effort is still being put into the 'clean-up' activities. It is interesting to also note that it still seems there are significant questions about whether the contaminants that remain within the environment are reason for concern and what health impacts they may pose.

I'm sure there is much research and learnings being generated out of this horrific event, but I don't know if I would like to be living in the experiment. Pin It

BP Gulf of Mexico oil well - de-commissioned

According to President Obama the BP oil well in the Gulf of Mexico has finally been sealed, five months after the initial explosion. There is still a significant amount of cleaning up to be finalised and a serious amount of legal wrangling to be completed, but hopefully this means that there won't be any additional direct pollution to this already suffering marine ecosystem. Pin It

Oil Spill in Gulf of Mexico

That's right. Apparently BP has been up to its old tricks and spilt a bucket load of oil into the ocean again (with more currently still pouring in). This time as a result of drilling efforts.

As of yesterday, BP is planning on lowering a containment dome over the well to limit the amount of oil being released into the ocean. In the article I heard, up to 85%. What about the other 15%? Shocker.

This situation is just screaming environmental devastation as a result of commercial greed and sloppiness. No matter how much greenwash companies do, few really care about the environment. Let's get real!

Hopefully, BP will prove me wrong and ensure their works reduce the impact on the ocean, the creatures that rely on the ocean's resources directly and the entire planet, where everything is connected. Pin It

Environmentally aware

I think it is important not only to try and become environmentally responsible within your day to day activities, but also become aware of the environmental issues the rest of the world is facing. In light of this, I will be drawing your attention to some of the environmental issues that cross my radar and post information on this blog.

Earlier this month a bulk carrier (large boat) carrying coal grounded on a section of the Great Barrier Reef off the central Queensland coast. The relevant authorities are now looking into the incident to determine its cause as well as addressing the issue of an extremely large boat being stuck on a piece of coral reef! According to the latest press release the captain of the ship states there is no oil leak, although in the popular media news report I watched this evening they reported of oil slicks in the vicinity of the boat. (I don't personally trust much of what the media reports but contrasting information always makes life more difficult). Reading some of the other media statements however indicate there may have been some oil lost to the ocean but perhaps the latest is that there isn't oil leaking any more. Attempts will be made in the near future to refloat the boat, hopefully with little or no additional damage to the reef.

Such events vary from moderate to catastrophic impacts on these delicate environments and I find it difficult to understand when shipping goes wrong in these areas. People should be aware of the environmental sensitivity of areas within which they travel, including captains of extremely large ocean going vessels and they should take appropriate care and risk management approaches when in such areas. People's blazay nature astonishes me. Pin It