Oil spills have been occurring for more than a century worldwide. The BP oil spill that occurred off the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 was the most disastrous. We only hear about the big ones, but they happen on a regular basis. According to some reports, they have been decreasing, but why have they not stopped entirely? The most recent spill that happened along Huntington Beach in Orange county California, released more than 125,000 gallons of crude oil into the sea. It is responsible for the deaths of still more fish, birds, marine life, kelp forests, plankton, sea turtles, and invertebrates. Slapping the companies with huge fines and requiring stricter management of oil rigs will not bring that life back. The media reports on the financial loss and the impact on residents, visitors, and tourism – but there is rarely much concern shown for the non-human loss of life. It is the economic loss resulting from such spills that is foremost in their minds.
I like to think that there will come a day when we no longer rape the earth, when forests are allowed to grow and the science of solar power replaces our current methods of extracting a living. It is unlikely to happen in my lifetime; but I will continue to speak up and to care for my planet in hopes that I can add to the tipping of the scales back to a state of normalcy. I will continue to strive to mimic Mother Nature and to be aware of my carbon footprint. I will try to live by example and to be the peace that I wish to see and to know that there are others like me. I cannot change the world, but I can do my little part each day to ease the pain in our world.
