It is difficult to convince sceptics that humanity is having an impact on the planet's environment, as climate change has been affecting the Earth since before humanity started creating civilisations; so it is difficult for scientists and environmentalists to repudiate all arguments and data put forward by the climate change sceptics. However, disasters such as the Gulf of Mexico oil rig explosion show the immediate damage to the planet and life forms when humanity recklessly manipulates the planet's resources.
Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Threatens Wildlife and Habitats
As the Gulf of Mexico sea became discoloured from the effects of the disaster, in the article titled "Pressure mounts on British oil giant BP to tackle slick " on May 1st, the BBC website (News.bbc.co.uk) reported that 'Up to 5,000 barrels of oil a day are gushing into the sea after the BP-operated Deepwater Horizon rig exploded and sank last week.'
The oil slick was reported to be 130 miles (200km) wide and heading towards wetlands off the Louisiana coast; an area which contains hundreds of wildlife species and a major seafood and fishing industry.
For many wildlife communities in the area their world is coming to an end. An equivalent disaster for humanity might be a massive burst of radiation from the sun suffocating the Earth in life destroying particles.
Comparisons with the Exxon-Valdez Disaster of 1989
The Gulf of Mexico oil spill has the potential to become the USA's worst ever environmental disaster. That dubious honour is currently held by the Exxon-Valdez disaster of 1989.
The Exxon-Valdez was an oil tanker that grounded off the Alaska coastline, spilling eleven million gallons of oil, and killing approximately 250,000 seabirds, 2,800 sea otters, 300 harbor seals, 250 bald eagles, twenty-two killer whales, and billions of salmon and herring eggs. Wildlife is still thought to be suffering from the disaster today. (Evostc.state.ak.us)
Threatened Wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico has whales and dolphins in the locality of the oil rig, and there are of course many species of fish in the ocean waters.
The first wildlife casualty was a gannet found covered in oil, and many other birds are under threat if the oil reaches the coastline.
Among the endangered and vulnerable animals under threat are pelicans, turtles and manatee. The timing of the environmental disaster is also very unfortunate, as it is the breeding season for most animals.
The Future of American Offshore Drilling
President Obama had only last month agreed to expand American offshore oil drilling off the California coast in a deal to persuade Republicans to support other environmental legislation to try and tackle climate change.
Obama has now suspended those plans, but has said that responsible offshore drilling remained an important part of the American energy policy. (Bigg, Matthew of Reuters, "Obama to visit scene of Gulf oil spill," Uk.news.yahoo.com, May 1st, 2010)
As the oil spill widens, and emergency efforts to try and contain it continue, it is still too early to tell what the total effect and repercussions for the Gulf of Mexico and world will be.
Marc Latham - Doctor of Philosophy and experienced freelance writer searching for truth and meaning, and reporting it in clear and concise copy.
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