Since the start of the BP Gulf of Mexico oil catastrophe three months ago, an “accident” born of industrial negligence and corporate greed, well over 100 million gallons of oil have leaked into the Gulf, making it the worst ecological disaster in history. Eleven rig workers were killed, fishery economies have been bankrupted, and precious coastal ecosystems have been damaged beyond repair. We need to be sure a catastrophe like this never happens again. The sheer size and devastation of the spill is enough to warrant the total abolition of offshore drilling, and a shift away from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources and a green jobs economy.
The oil gusher was finally contained by BP on July 15th, at least temporarily, marking 87 days since the initial explosion on April 20th. At least 35,000 barrels of crude oil spewed into the Gulf of Mexico per day, causing massive ecological devastation along coastal regions and wetlands. The moratorium placed on offshore drilling by the Obama Administration does not go nearly far enough; a permanent ban on offshore drilling is the only acceptable measure to take to prevent another disastrous spill.
The oil spill is not an isolated problem, but one which stems from America’s addiction to oil and other unsustainable energy sources. The way our society is organized has led to an over-consumption of and unhealthy dependence on environmentally destructive fossil fuels that pollute our water and air systems and contribute heavily to global climate change. Therefore, it is necessary to transition away from oil towards a sustainable energy future which will provide green job alternatives and substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are fueling climate change.
An end to offshore drilling is the only way to guarantee safety of the environment and the workers and curtail further harm to the climate. It is necessary to replace harmful fossil fuels with renewable energy that would create millions of green jobs that are advantageous to the Earth and its people. To those who say we need to expand offshore drilling in order to achieve “energy independence,” we must point out that this is not “American” oil. No matter who drills it, oil goes onto the international market where speculation sets its price, and it goes to the highest bidder. The only answer is to get off oil completely!
ABOLISH OFFSHORE DRILLING! NO INDUSTRY BAILOUTS!
REMOVE CORPORATE LIABILITY CAPS!
COMPENSATION FOR AFFECTED COMMUNITIES!
BIG OIL PAYS FOR LONG TERM RESTORATION COSTS!
TRANSITION TO CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY NOW!
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