The Gulf oil spill has been recognized as the worst oil spill in U.S. history. The initial environmental impact was obvious, as the water was flooded with oil for 87 days. The surrounding wildlife and marine life coated in oil, and the waters thick with sludge as an estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil leaked into the Gulf. Years later, is the Gulf free of oil? We no longer see the discolored waters, and the animals covered in blackness, but the Gulf is still facing lasting challenges with long term effects from the spill. One effect that’s being investigated is the impact on wildlife. For instance, in a study done by the NOAA in 2011, seventeen percent of the dolphins studied where not expected to live. (2) This study was done in Barataria
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The lasting effects on all involved will take years to determine and access. In an article from nola.com, “Bp is no longer funding the research for the Deep water Horizon Oil Spill effects on dolphins, turtles, and oyster studies. That decision has forced the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to request $148 million from a federal oil spill trust fund to pay for the studies.” (4) In September of 2014, Forbes magazine reported that BP was found grossly negligent in the Deepwater Horizon Disaster. (1) BP seems to be ready to wash its hands of it. With its new marketing campaign of commercials about how BP cares, and BP is America, it seems as though they are trying to paint a picture that’s not reality. So where will that leave the state of environment, the eco systems, animals, and humans that have been, and continue to be affected by this? Only time will tell what the future holds for the Gulf, and its widespread reach on the world. If birds in Minnesota are laying eggs with chemicals now, who’s to say what will happen down the road? As a nation so dependent on oil there should be fail safe systems in place, and organized plans for how to handle spills like this more effectively. It is our land after all, and without it, and its other inhabitants, we also cease to exist. Is it something we think won’t happen in our lifetime? Will tragedies like this further our studies towards greener, safer, renewable energy sources? Will it be in time, or has our damage to the planet and its life already become
The lasting effects on all involved will take years to determine and access. In an article from nola.com, “Bp is no longer funding the research for the Deep water Horizon Oil Spill effects on dolphins, turtles, and oyster studies. That decision has forced the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to request $148 million from a federal oil spill trust fund to pay for the studies.” (4) In September of 2014, Forbes magazine reported that BP was found grossly negligent in the Deepwater Horizon Disaster. (1) BP seems to be ready to wash its hands of it. With its new marketing campaign of commercials about how BP cares, and BP is America, it seems as though they are trying to paint a picture that’s not reality. So where will that leave the state of environment, the eco systems, animals, and humans that have been, and continue to be affected by this? Only time will tell what the future holds for the Gulf, and its widespread reach on the world. If birds in Minnesota are laying eggs with chemicals now, who’s to say what will happen down the road? As a nation so dependent on oil there should be fail safe systems in place, and organized plans for how to handle spills like this more effectively. It is our land after all, and without it, and its other inhabitants, we also cease to exist. Is it something we think won’t happen in our lifetime? Will tragedies like this further our studies towards greener, safer, renewable energy sources? Will it be in time, or has our damage to the planet and its life already become