Great Info Tips

I did some more research and also watched some videos and slides regarding the oil spill and the marine life that is being disrupted. Heart wrenching to say the least when watching those slides on MSNBC.com. Marine life being destroyed by the millions. Because we have to have oil. There has to be something major done soon or more will be destroyed.

We have been told on day 42 that the oil may still be leaking in August. That’s too far away! Too much of an environmental disaster brought upon everyone because something went terribly wrong. I learned BP has had many safety citations in the past years. I guess they have been greedy and wanted to get the oil as quickly as possible, not worrying about the potential of any disaster. Not enough safety procedures on the drilling platform. Not enough research done to make sure such an oil spill like we are experiencing would happen. To date this is the largest oil spill in U.S. history and the biggest environmental catastrophe in the world. Government scientists believe the gusher could increase up to 20% more oil from the time the pipe is cut and a containment valve put in place. “Top Kill” has failed to do the job BP so desperately wants done. Currently they are preparing a containment cap to place on top of a lower marine rise. This will sit on top of the failed blowout pipe. BP wants to get at least some of the leaking oil piped to the surface and into container ships.

The Gulf Coast is an area with a rich ecosystem with a vital breeding ground for the 6.5 billion dollar seafood industry. Louisiana ships 20% of all seafood to the U.S. Most of the business in the Gulf Coast is fishing, shrimping, and related industries. The oil is killing the seafood, contaminating it so badly that shrimpers were pulling their equipment and dumping the seafood in fear of causing health concerns to consumers.

Most of the affected creatures in the water and on shore include herons, terns, pelicans, bottle nosed dolphins (they head to the Gulf to give birth this time of the year), sperm whales, sea turtles, and manatees. Volunteers are using a solution of 1%  Dawn dish washing detergent to 90% water. It can take up to 15 baths to clean 1 bird. Pepto Bismol is given to birds and mamals who may have ingested the oil.

Actor Kevin Cosner and his brother Dan are in the Gulf trying to use equipment their company invented to try to keep the oil from getting into the outlets in the Gulf. Others are suggesting other ideas, if only BP will listen. Check out the information on MSNBC. It’s interesting to see what people are willing to do to help. Our government needs to do more and soon. Tomorrow, June 1, starts the hurricane season. A hurricane such as Katrina will only prove to be more disastrous to this area hit so hard before.

We, in turn, need to do what we can to help, even if it’s just to make the government  and BP know how upset we are that this happened. You don’t need to spend money or be an environmentalist. Just let your thoughts be heard. Go to BP.com. On their website is a square marked Gulf of Mexico Incident contact form. Click on that to get to an area where you can offer suggestions, offer products to help, or volunteer. You can also contact them with you comments. And let President Obama know how you feel. I know many feel he is not doing enough. Solutions need to be considered by all top officials and this oil spill needs to be contained.