The oil rig that exploded into America's consciousness on April 20 is still spewing oil into the Gulf of Mexico at an alarming rate. The initial explosion took a devastating human toll and the rig sunk two days later, but there was little indication as to how large the actual spill would grow. Located 50 miles off the coast of Louisiana, initial estimates put the leak at about 1,000 barrels a day. As of yesterday, however, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) concluded that oil was leaking at a rate of approximately 5,000 barrels a day, 5 times more than previously expected. Some estimates obtained from NASA images predict spill rate much higher still.
Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig Photo Courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard
As of earlier this week, the slick was already covering over 2,200 square miles, and spreading rapidly. Yesterday evening, emergency clean-up crews began experimentally burning the oil to keep it from reaching shore. Initial burning attempts were deemed successful but so far no one has been able to control the leak. As of last night, the western edge of the slick was estimated to be within 10 miles of shore.
This is a tragic refutation to all the industry's claims that offshore drilling is safe and that spills don't happen. Tell this administration that our country cannot be put at risk merely to fill the pockets of Big Oil. Tell them no more drilling off our coasts!
PLEASE HELP - I don't know whom to contact and time is running out -- this is so horrendous. The Sierra Club has some clout -- can you please, please help stop this!
News has just emerged from the Gulf Coast that BP IS BURNING ENDANGERED SEA TURTLES ALIVE!
A boat captain who has been leading efforts to rescue the endangered turtles says BP has blocked his crews from entering the areas where the animals are trapped, effectively shutting down the rescue operation.
BP is using "controlled burns" to contain the oil spill. Shrimp boats create a corral of oil by dragging together fire-resistant booms and then lighting the enclosed "burn box" on fire. If turtles are not removed from the area before the fire is lit, they are literally burned alive.
The sea turtle most affected by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill is the Kemp's Ridley2 which is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Parties responsible for killing the endangered turtles are liable for criminal penalties that include prison and civil fines of up to $25,000 per violation.
As a result, BP perversely has a financial incentive to allow the endangered turtles to burn rather than allow rescue crews to cull them from the burn boxes before the containment fires are lit.
"They ran us out of there and then they shut us down, they would not let us get back in there," said turtle rescuer Mike Ellis in an interview with conservation biologist Catherine Craig that was posted on YouTube.com. 3
Tell BP: Stop burning endangered sea turtles alive.
Posted by: julietta wilder | 06/23/2010 at 06:37 AM
Yes, it is. And as time goes by, many are affected and marine life is on its way to extinction.
Posted by: dining room tables | 06/22/2010 at 10:06 PM
Where are you Sierra Club. Why no press or call for volunteers to help clean and save wildlife? It makes me think even more that you are interested only in raising funds to pay your salaries. Why are you not publicly denouncing this event and asking questions? Forget Russ Limbaugh, What would you do with the $100,000 if you raise it? Your lack of action presently and in the past is why I have not renewed my membership.
Posted by: Peggy Broadway | 06/05/2010 at 06:30 AM
Tentatively on Monday or Tuesday of next week, we will also be doing a presentation to some local groups in Mobile Alabama or Pensacola FL to hand out 1700 free samples of our peat moss for individuals to use.
We appreciate efforts already made by the Sierra Club and would like to invite local members of the Sierra Club to attend this special presentation.
If you have time, please visit our website at www.arkent.com. I would recommend watching the video with Alexander Haig and our "Coastal Spills" page. Our natural technology offers tremendous opportunities to save money while protecting the environment in clean up operations on the shoreline and marshlands in the Gulf.
Interested in more information, send me an email.
Posted by: Mimi Snyder | 05/26/2010 at 12:58 PM
This is a case where rage is necessary. Changes must be made, attitudes changed.
Please watch and share this video.
WARNING: Language is very "crude".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx8kMXufu3w
Posted by: TLinn | 05/26/2010 at 05:36 AM
I want to go photograph this horrible mess to inform, share and educate other people around the world. However I can't seem to get in touch with any one that can help direct me. If there is anyone that could be of help, an organization, a clean up crew, a fisherman with a boat, please email me.... [email protected]
Posted by: Haley McBride | 05/24/2010 at 09:10 PM
In the second paragraph and the second sentence of my previous comment a typo was made. It should read: Try to limit how many miles you drive etc...rather than linit.
Posted by: Nancy Grilz | 04/30/2010 at 08:47 PM
My initial response to the oil spill was sadness at the loss of human life, disgust directed to yet another oil spill and concern for the families who lost loved ones and whose livelihood is based upon the clean, unpolluted waters of the Gulf Coast.
But there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel... each of use can help our planet and our communities. And each of our contributions are important
Don't support BP IF it is the nearest convenient gas station to whereever you happen to be when you need to put gas in your car.
Try to linit how many miles you drive and it is necessary to drive if a person lives too far from his/or her place of business. Combine errands to the bank, grocery store, fitness centers or personal interest/hobby locations. If you can get somewhere by walking, biking, skateboarding etc...do so. But not at risk to your personal well-being.
Every living being on the planet plays it's part in the cycle of life.
My passion is supporting those whose voices have been ignored.
Posted by: Nancy Grilz | 04/30/2010 at 08:44 PM
This is one of the darkest times for our environment. Stand up
and be counted, make your voice heard and say no more offshore drilling. BP will not be able to fix the damage they have
to our wildlife or to the American people.
Posted by: Don Reis | 04/30/2010 at 06:23 PM