The root source of reckless oil exploration goes back to our addiction for fossil fuels. We’re addicted to our lifestyles – our homes, cars, and computers and so on. As human beings spread out and populated the planet with each country striving to attain higher standard of living comparable to America’s, the Earth’s resources have seemed to run up against a wall. Earth’s resources are limited … at least the ones that we are addicted to. Our fossil fuel economy is unsustainable if we are to continue exporting the current America way of life to the rest of the world. The oil we use for transportation fuel and agricultural fertilizers is on its way our in the next few decades. And along the way, we will be drilling in more and more risky places like deeper waters, increasing the likelihood of a BP-type disaster becoming a regular happening. If this does happen, wildlife and our ecosystems will suffer.
Greenpeace started an Energy [R]evolution to prevent oil disasters like that one in the Gulf of Mexico happening again. They are confronting reckless oil exploration by sending two ships to the frontiers of the world’s oil problem. Their mission is clear: to tackle the kind of irresponsible oil exploration that keeps wrecking our environment. Scientists aboard the Arctic Sunrise are continuing their expedition, testing the waters of the Gulf while skimming and burning the thousands of gallons of oil they skimmed off the waters. Additionally, clean up crews are continuing their clean up on the coast, picking up tarballs.
To stop enormous oil accidents like this from happening again, it’s our job to stop using dirty fossil fuels and start using the affordable, efficient renewable technologies that are available today.
References:
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/features/Greenpeace-confronts-reckless-oil-exploration/
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/climate-change/Deepwater-horizon/
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/news-and-blogs/news/oilspilltruth/
http://www.examiner.com/energy-in-national/fossil-fuel-addiction-processing-collective-grief-part-one
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/news-and-blogs/campaign-blog/wheres-all-the-oil-gone/blog/26554
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/news-and-blogs/campaign-blog/oil-on-the-bottom-of-the-gulf/blog/26510
http://fossil-fuel.co.uk/oil/oil-and-the-environment
Word Count: 388
BioBlogs I have read & commented on:
Kimberley V.
http://bionomen.blogspot.com/2010/09/fighting-human-intervention-with-human.html#comments
Nicole A.
http://nicolesbioblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/greenpeace-activists-occupy-arctic-oil.html#comments
Hey Kim, great BioBlog! I agree with the fact that us humans use fossil fuels in our everyday lives without realizing the true consequences. I think what Greenpeace is doing is amazing. The scientists are able to do a full inspection of the affected environment, and along with the clean-up crew, they are slowly restoring the ecozones and habitats for many different animals. By doing this, we are improving our path to a bright and clean future, not only for ourselves but for the whole planet.
ReplyDeleteI would like to begin by pointing out that the oil spill which occurred in the Gulf of Mexico can be considered as one of the most devastating to our planet. It is a fact that it would take an immense amount of years for this issue to be resolved, which means that throughout this period of time, our ecosystems would further suffer. I absolutely agree that it is our desire to live comfortable lifestyles which causes global environmental problems like this one. I strongly feel that we, humans need to understand that we depend on biodiversity and ecosystems for survival. All living things are interconnected, therefore, if one suffers, so does the rest. In this case, the spill has not only threatened our environment, but has also created problems for those who depend on the wetlands for livelihood. Nevertheless, there are numerous environmental organizations who work to resolve and prevent environmental issues. I am incredibly glad that you chose Greenpeace. This organization has had a tremendously positive impact to both our society and more importantly, to our world. Their campaign to stop irresponsible oil exploration and to encourage the purchase of efficient renewable technologies would definitely avoid incidents like this to occur once again. To conclude, our planet has provided us with so much and I believe that it should only be our responsibility to give back, perhaps through compromise and by aiming for a pollution-free environment. It is without a doubt that the choices we make today are what could either destroy or improve our planet. Hence, by making correct choices, we are one step closer to creating a more environmentally friendly future for the upcoming generations.
ReplyDeleteHey Kim! Blog - great! It is very true that the oil spill of the Gulf of Mexico was devastating! I remember watching the news and just telling myself when is this going to stop, and then seeing those soap commercials, feeling so bad for those animals that are in the ocean ecosystems!
ReplyDeleteI can relate to this because oil spills are one of the major causes that the oceans are weakening and more and more species in the oceans are duying. If oil spills happen, fish are going to die, and then if the animals consume the fish that have been contaminated by the oil spill, clearly the animals willget in danger too.
And BP company should come to realization that renewable energy is a better choice. I think that Greenpeace is doing a great job by sending our those ships to follow up and prevent any oil spills happening! I agree, we need to stop the causes now before its too late!
Hey Kim! The Gulf of Mexico oil spill was very devasting to our planet. It would take many years for this issue to be resolved. I remember this issue surrounding the news everyday and telling myself when it will end! Greenpeace is doing an amazing job on inspecting the waters of the Gulf while cleaning up the oil spill. In the future we should prevent more oil spills that would affect our future and biodiversity of our planet. We would not only benefit ourselves, but also many species and the environment.
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