Fossil fuels have a huge effect on the planet with the greenhouse emissions they produce. Where they are extracted from also can have an effect on the environment. From hundreds of miles long pipelines cutting through pristine ecosystems to oil rigs off the south coast of the USA. As many people in southwest Michigan know the effect of this all too well. In regards to the Line 6 disaster. This is not only a Michigan problem with the largest oil spill in the world’s history happening in the Gulf of Mexico.
On April 20, 2010, disaster struck the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. An explosion when off on the oil rig killing 11 workers and injuring 17 more. The fire could be seen from 40 miles away. This was only the start of the travesty with 60,000 barrels of oil spilling out from the well each day. NOAA. This resulted in 4 million barrels of oil being put out into the environment until it was capped 87 days later. It was capped by injecting cement into the leaking area. EPA. This rig was owned by BP a British oil company and has paid around 69 billion in clean up and law suits. BP. (Keep in mind that information is from BP themselves, the amounts vary depending on source.)
With 4 million barrels of oil spilled into the ocean, there was a huge impact on the environment. No one was spared, with the oil impacting coral reefs, birds, fish, marshes, mangroves, fishermen, residents, tourism, and people livelihoods. 1,300 miles of coastline being affected by this spill with winds and currents spreading it. NOAA. Around 167,000 sea turtles killed, 93 species of birds exposed to oil, 21 species of dolphins and whales injured, 2-5 million larval fish killed, and 8.3 billion oysters killed during restoration projects. NWF. This only to name a few. When all of us die, the dolphin and whale populations have still not recovered from the oil spill. This is only one oil spill that has happened on this planet and will not be the last. These fossil fuels are destroying our planet and killing people. Oil companies have blood on their hands.
As we see this new administration push back environmental protection acts, we wonder if this is only the start?
What’s crazy to me is that you mentioned 4 million barrels of oil was then put into the environment for 87 days after the explosion. I’m not sure I don’t really know much about this, but I feel like there should’ve been precautionary measures to stuff like this. I also agree with the last sentence in this blog that all of these lives that were lost and the ecosystems that were destroyed is all on the oil companies.
ReplyDeleteAgree, some precautions would be a better cost than the 69 billion they spent in clean up and lawsuits.
DeleteLetting 87 days go by while a resource is being wasted really shows the trivial attitude oil barons have regarding their actions, livelihood, and the lives around them.
ReplyDeleteWow, this was a really eye-opening read! I had no idea that the dolphin and whale populations still haven't recovered from the Deepwater Horizon spill—that's heartbreaking. It makes me wonder, are there any ongoing restoration projects trying to help those species bounce back? Also, you mentioned how oil spills aren’t just a one-time disaster but an ongoing issue. Do we know how many oil spills have happened globally in the past decade? It’s crazy how much damage just one spill can do, and I can't even imagine the combined impact of multiple spills over time.
ReplyDeleteIt is so sad that oil companies will continue to lie and warp their image even when the evidence is right here in front of us. No amount of money can reverse this damage. The sheer number of animals who have to face conditions they could never have created without the invasiveness of humans is devastating. This is what I believe to be proof of the human-caused nature of climate change, we invade habitats and let the innocent creatures and people suffer when our infrastructure implodes.
ReplyDeleteIt's no wonder oil rig workers such as these get paid so much, who would want to do such dangerous work that has so many risks for themselves and the environment.
ReplyDeleteThe Deepwater Horizon disaster wasn’t just a short-term catastrophe. It caused lasting damage to ecosystems, marine life, and coastal communities that still haven’t fully recovered. It’s heartbreaking to think that dolphin and whale populations may never bounce back.
ReplyDeleteI knew oil spills were dangerous and detrimental, but I had no idea how long it took for marine life populations to recover from these tragedies. All the more reason to discontinue the use of oil.
ReplyDeleteThe Deepwater Horizon oil spill serves as a stark reminder of the devastating ecological consequences of fossil fuel extraction, highlighting the urgent need for stronger environmental protections as we face ongoing threats to our planet's health.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunate that oil spills happen and they don't work on fixing it hastily, 4 million barrels spilled into the ocean is insane, and the toll that it takes on the species killed during all of this. Very dangerous stuff that they need to be held accountable for.
ReplyDeleteI remember first hearing about this incident, and having the opportunity to read more about it and the harm it caused is deeply saddening. I wonder if these lawsuits against BP promoted even a small chain reaction for other oil companies to be more conscious of their practice.
ReplyDeleteOil spills are so tragic and devastating to the environment. Not only are they hard to clean, but they also make it dangerous for wildlife that may come in contact with the spill. 4 million oil barrels spilled in the ocean is more than a "clean up" that would take years to properly clean and get rid of the contamination. So sad, wish things were different
ReplyDeleteI've heard about this disaster before, but I had no clue its impacts have been so severe. It is disheartening to think about the millions of sea creatures that we harmed by this incident, alongside their environments
ReplyDeleteI remember when this happened and the news was flooded with photos of animals covered in oil from the spill. I don't think anyone could get used to the sight of suffering animals.
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