Almost immediately after the BP oil rig Deepwater Horizon exploded into the Gulf of Mexico, people began expressing sympathy and remained hopeful that the leak would stop spewing black crude oil into the ocean. The recent spill (or massive dump, is more like it) has turned into a nightmare. The economic disaster has no end in sight, and its effects will remain with us well into the future.
BP, the energy company that is responsible for the oil spill, revealed that oil had been leaking at least five times faster than it had originally estimated. That means that each day 210,000 gallons of oil are now spilling into the gulf. The oil gushing into the gulf is forming a slick coating that is 5,000 square miles large and growing every day.
The winds that constantly shift over the water are pushing the oil towards the Gulf Coast, which will have a huge negative impact on the environment as well as the economy. Thousands of fishermen will (if they haven’t already) lose their jobs and livelihoods for years to come. Tourism in the Gulf Coast will come to a screeching halt. Worst of all, wildlife will die in what might be one of the biggest manmade disasters ever.
Efforts to rescue wildlife continue as the impact of the oil spill grows. Dolphins, turtles and birds have all been seen covered in oil. Up to 20 wildlife refuges could be affected by the spill. The impact is inevitable, the fish and shellfish in the water will suffocate, and the oil will destroy the surrounding environment where fish lay eggs. It’s a sad reality that wildlife will fall victim, and as the oil starts to make landfall it will only get worse.
Brown pelicans (the state bird of Louisiana) came off the endangered species list last year and are now at risk in the open water, along the coasts and in the wetland area. Oysters, shrimp and migratory shorebirds are also at risk from the gulf oil spill.
According to the Associated Press, Procter & Gamble sent 1,000 bottles of Dawn dishwashing soap to help clean wildlife. Several groups are looking for volunteers to help clean up. “Save Our Seabirds” is a bird rescue group in Florida that is hoping volunteers will help clean birds covered in oil that cannot clean it off on their own. The National Audobon Society is also recruiting volunteers to respond to the mess.
If you are looking to help the crisis in the gulf but volunteering in person is not doable, there are plenty of things you can do from afar. Wildlife rescue centers could always use donations. Donations could include old towels, Dawn soap, heating pads and even computer equipment. You can write letters to local politicians and sign petitions to demand an end to any offshore drilling. You can also contribute by donating money. The Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research (www.tristatebird.org/donations) team is active in helping clean up oil-covered wildlife.
It’s important to also stay aware and learn more about issues that affect wildlife. The more aware you are, the more likely you will change daily habits that might have had a negative impact on the environment.
The Gulf Coast oil spill is a sad tragedy. We can help out in little ways or big ways and remain hopeful that our contributions can lessen the overall impact of the spill on wildlife. w
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