Staying dormant about environmental issues no longer an option
Given its enormity, the environmental disaster unfolding in the Gulf should be the last one of its kind [“Frustration mounts as oil seeps into Gulf wetlands,” News, May 23].
While official estimates place the oil “leak” at 5,000 barrels a day, more sobering analyses place it at 100,000 barrels a day, making it an oil volcano with no end in sight. What makes this event so tragic is that it was entirely preventable. Even worse, its impact on our country’s wildlife, fisheries, tourism and local economy is completely inestimable at this point.
Whether the oil contamination could spread up the Atlantic coast and whether efforts to contain it would be hampered by the inevitable hurricanes remains to be seen.
This disaster should awaken us to the myriad other man-made environmental catastrophes that are occurring. Annually, 81 tons of mercury enter the atmosphere as a result of coal-fired electrical generators, and farmland greater than the area of Scotland is lost to erosion, plus urban sprawl across the globe.
Every day, more than 100 plant and animal species become extinct and 13 million tons of toxic chemicals are released.
Currently, every square mile of ocean averages 46,000 pieces of floating plastic. In the last 100 years, 90 percent of the large ocean fish have disappeared and in the last 30 years, 50 percent of the world’s forests have been destroyed.
An environmental tipping point has been reached.
A future for humankind and other life-forms is not possible without a transformational change in how each of us treats our environment. We must use the highly visible, expanding “dead zone” of the Gulf as the rallying point for our very survival.
Each of us must become an environmental activist. Not only do we have to live in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way, but we must demand that our government enact strict environmental laws and vigorously enforce them. Failure to act now is no longer an option.
— Marshall Goldberg, Oak Harbor
Drilling response to demand for oil
In the wake of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, many are expressing outrage toward BP, Transocean and Halliburton for not taking the precautions necessary to prevent such a disaster.
Without a doubt, this outrage is justified. But we should also ask ourselves why BP was drilling for oil a mile below the ocean surface, offshore from such a biologically rich region.
The answer on the most basic level is because there is a market for oil; those of us who drive gas-powered cars are part of that market. The more we drive, the more BP would drill. Perhaps we should all display pictures of oiled wetlands or idled fishermen on our dashboards.
Being reminded before we turn the key that we are all culprits in this disaster may prompt us to consider taking the bus, walking, riding a bicycle or simply avoiding the trip altogether.
— Jeannette Banobi, Seattle
Tragic accident turned criminal incident
I read “CG commandant: BP using all technical means it can” [Seattletimes.com, May 24]. Frankly, I believe neither BP nor our government.
Is the Gulf of Mexico the geologic equivalent of a hemophiliac? When I get a cut, I could stop the bleeding with pressure or a bandage. We could have had barges taking rock, sand and gravel to cover and plug the well within days of the explosion. Instead, BP decided it would try and siphon the emerging oil into a nearby tanker.
From many reports, it appears there is an epidemic of stooge-like behavior across the industry. With each report, I looked for evidence of Moe, Larry, Curly or Shemp.
Now, the blame game has started, with fingers pointing in every direction. State officials, federal officials and company officials — sounds like a cluster operation.
This country runs on energy, and we need new sources of oil. I support the search for new oil sources. But it is clear that our government cannot legislate faithfulness from the oil industry. Now is the time to assign inspection, arrest and prosecution authority to the Office of the Inspector General.
What happened originally was a tragic accident. What has happened since is criminal.
— Bob Boren, Federal Way
A craving with nasty consequences
As a firm believer in the preservation of the ecology of the Earth, I am disgusted and appalled by the callous decisions made by BP in regard to its oil-drilling policies.
BP officials’ decision to continue to push 24-hour drilling and disregard the safety of their drilling rig has caused the death of innocent workers and put the entire ecology of the Gulf of Mexico in danger of being ruined for years to come. The fragile ecology of the coastlines may never recover and for what —more money.
We need to improve the way we use oil by making more fuel-efficient vehicles and finding ways to use alternative fuel sources to fuel transportation. In essence, we need to become less dependent on oil as our main energy source. I know that I am not only speaking for myself, but for millions of other Americans.
— Marcia Thomas, Spanaway