Voices from the Flats – They Just Don’t Mix
Welcome back to our Voices from the Flats Water Wizard Ship Bright. If you are passionate or curious about water issues, I encourage you to check out Ship’s excellent blog Fresh [water] Ideas for a Thirsty Planet. Thanks so much to Ship and others who are truly “Changing the World One Drop at a Time.”
We all know this…They just don’t mix.
Whether we’re talking about people, “they’re like oil and water”, or we’re talking about salt or freshwater and oil…they just don’t mix.
Like you I have sat and watched helplessly as the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has spewed forth the manifestation of our addiction to oil. It’s frightening to watch and to see it affect us in such a foul, toxic, and heartbreaking fashion. It’s taken me this long to write about it as I wanted to view this from a larger perspective and not one that has me embroiled in the anger, frustration and sadness that is unfolding before us. I have felt so helpless.
We’ve done this to ourselves and I am less interested in blame and liability, for now, than in just getting the problem solved. Getting the cap on recently was a major step forward BUT the cleanup of the hundreds of millions of gallons is something that will be multi-generational. Exxon Valdez has taught us that and the Exxon Valdez spill in Prince William Sound of beloved Alaska is a pinprick compared to the Gulf of Mexico.
Recently I was asked by a company I work for to do a an analysis on the oil spill and field data needs. It was a good opportunity to highlight the difference between an anthropocentric vs. biocentric perspective. An anthropocentric [human centered] perspective would be focused on beaches where we humans encounter the oil and on the charismatic megafauna [beautiful animals/birds/fish] that we as humans feel our heartstrings pulled on .
A biocentric [ecosystem centered] perspective would be focused on what is best for nature including the marine life ecosystems, the marshes and bayous, and the systems that are key to the chain of life in the Gulf. We need to work on all these things but the marshes and bayous and tidewaters are the “nurseries” of the marine and freshwater ecosystems that are the foundation of the whole Gulf ecosystem. As much as we humans can we need to really think about these challenges from a biocentric viewpoint because we humans are part a larger ecosystem that extends and effects us well beyond our current knowledge.
Oil intruding into freshwater systems complicates and threatens the health of fish, fowl, wildlife and humans….we are ALL at risk of this.
So this disaster in the Gulf and its impact on our economy, our health, and our environment must fortunately be an isolated challenge to us all to recover from. Unfortunately it is not.
Huh? Not another gloom and doom environmentalist trying to scare everyone that the End of Days is nigh! Quick, don your Rapture helmets and hope God didn’t catch you that one time….
It’s not a doom and gloom scenario. It is an honest, straight forward, and pragmatic look at the worlds’ freshwater issues that the BP oil disaster has highlighted because this isn’t the only oil and water related major problem in the world. What should bother us about these other issues is that they happen far away and usually to people that are poor…and we here in the relative affluence of the West remain blissfully ignorant of them.
As loyal readers of Fresh[water] Ideas for a Thirsty Planet you’ve heard me quote Laurens van der Post…these events “are like the wind, they come from a far off place but we feel them here”
Circle of Blue does a wonderful job on reporting these international issues and this article here is something you should read and pass on. http://www.circleofblue.org/waternews/2010/world/bottomless-precedent-bp-gulf-gusher-endemic-to-global-oil-problems/
Here are some highlights:
NIGERIA
In the delta of Nigeria for the last 50 years between 380 to 550 MILLION gallons of oil spill EACH YEAR.
These spills are a result of their incessant civil war where no one seems to be “the good guy” pipelines are sabotaged and inattention to maintenance of the oil pipelines allows corrosion to eat through the pipes and spill oil. This is the equivalent of an Exxon Valdez disaster every year for 50 years.
The people of the Delta are being poisoned by the oil that is part of their daily drinking water, bathing and hygiene. It’s in their food. It’s all around them and yet the forces of greed battle on to control the black gold while everyone suffers.
The oil contaminates the surrounding ocean where it is scattered to the courses of currents and whims of nature’s storms. We are all effected by this. Shell and Chevron are the two major multinationals extracting the oil and navigating, and some say unduly influencing and meddling in, the politics. There is much to read on this subject and I encourage you to dive in.
Ecuador
Chevron is accused of turning approximately 2,000 square miles-about the size or Rhode Island-into a “death zone” where cancer rates have soared. 17 million gallons of raw crude oil has been discharged into the rainforest. Lax health laws and poor, if any enforcement, of health regulations has allowed the indigenous people to take the brunt of pollution.
Russia
In remote regions of Siberian , away from prying eyes, oil drilling still suffers from undercapitalized projects that allow pipelines to corrode away and cause massive oil spills of over 30 million gallons. As Circle of Blue reported, “The international community paid scant attention to the region’s ongoing spills until heavy rainfall in October of 1994 knocked out an earthen dam that had contained 20 percent of the region’s motherlode of contaminated water and crude. Oil raced through tributaries of the salmon-rich Pechora River, which drains into the Arctic Ocean.
Oil contaminating migrating salmon fisheries, as well as effecting the waters of the Arctic Ocean, effect all of us.
It is critical to be an informed global citizen who has a deeper understanding of these issues and the interconnectedness of these issues to our own lives and how we effect them. It is critical to our mutual survival. The world is growing more populated and the environmental stresses are growing and will continue to grow. It is up to each one of us to contribute to solving these issues in small ways that collectively become a powerful force as they translate into pressures on the “markets” of the world.
Oil and water do not mix.
This is an issue of international and national security. We need to migrate to sustainable energy as quickly as we can, recognizing the imperative to do so, and in an orderly transition. Oil will continue to play a mix in our energy needs but the more of us that realize that oil is both a blessing and a curse and that renewables are better for us in the long run is critical to the collective political will that translates into, at least in our representative democracy, the election of public leaders who heed the electorates demand.
Oil is poison to freshwater and we don’t have a lot of freshwater on this planet. What we have we need to steward and care for. I wish the BP Gulf of Mexico disaster was an isolated incident but the more you open your eyes to what is happening around the globe the more the pattern comes into focus. Don’t take the easy route and fall prey to the those that offer soothing salves of “it’s not a big deal” or “the waters will be pristine again”.
Look at Prince William Sound in Alaska where a tiny fraction of oil was spilled by Exxon Valdez compared to the Gulf…20+ years later there is still oil just under the surface on the beaches. [https://themudflats.net/2010/07/06/walking-with-the-ghost-of-exxon/]
Lastly, the more we spend time blaming others the less energy we spend on fixing the problems and moving forward with constructive solutions. We are all to blame in some form or fashion and clearly some shoulder more culpability than others but let’s learn from our mistakes, right the wrongs, but keep our focus back to where it needs to be… that is the evolution of man in its finest form and this can be our finest hour.
Here’s an oil spill in China. What an awful picture. As much as our safety standards for clean up workers have been lax here, this is unbelievable.
http://www.csmonitor.com/CSM-Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2010/Photos-of-the-Day-07-20/(photo)/2
Here’s an oil spill in China. What an awful picture. As much as our safety standards for clean up workers have been lax here, this is unbelievable.
http://www.csmonitor.com/CSM-Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2010/Photos-of-the-Day-07-20/(photo)/2
Ship Bright, thanks for your post. I wasn’t aware of much of what you stated. It brings to my mind, “out of sight, out of mind” on the subject that most of the world is not aware of the poisoning from oil in Nigeria, Russia and Ecquador. I vaguely recall some articles about the Nigerian issues but the rest was new to me. It also angers me that media here and all over the world either choose not to expose this or are complicit by allowing the oil corporations to control what they say (or don’t say).
Wonderful post.
Ship Bright, thanks for your post. I wasn’t aware of much of what you stated. It brings to my mind, “out of sight, out of mind” on the subject that most of the world is not aware of the poisoning from oil in Nigeria, Russia and Ecquador. I vaguely recall some articles about the Nigerian issues but the rest was new to me. It also angers me that media here and all over the world either choose not to expose this or are complicit by allowing the oil corporations to control what they say (or don’t say).
Wonderful post.
Thanks Ship. It’s just disgusting how many places the oil companies have ruined.
I even see it here in the US. I drove through McKittrick, CA last year. What a mess and it still stinks. Literally from the gases.
Thanks Ship. It’s just disgusting how many places the oil companies have ruined.
I even see it here in the US. I drove through McKittrick, CA last year. What a mess and it still stinks. Literally from the gases.
Great post and so sadly true.
We have trapped ourselves into this lose lose dead end.
Also too, petroleum based fertilizers will go away when the oil does, and that is when the wars and anarchy will errupt.
Great post and so sadly true.
We have trapped ourselves into this lose lose dead end.
Also too, petroleum based fertilizers will go away when the oil does, and that is when the wars and anarchy will errupt.
Kind of on topic as it is about our waters and sea animals. http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=11207646 dead penguins on beaches many showed they starved to death.
Kind of on topic as it is about our waters and sea animals. http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=11207646 dead penguins on beaches many showed they starved to death.
I hope many read this, add site to favs. I am going to read again later tonight, mostly outloud for the benifit of household.
I hope many read this, add site to favs. I am going to read again later tonight, mostly outloud for the benifit of household.
No, they don’t mix. Thank you, Ship Bright.
http://www.csmonitor.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/images/cartoon-images/2010/07/cartoon100720/8343228-1-eng-US/cartoon100720_full_600.jpg
No, they don’t mix. Thank you, Ship Bright.
http://www.csmonitor.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/images/cartoon-images/2010/07/cartoon100720/8343228-1-eng-US/cartoon100720_full_600.jpg
My wife and I have reduced our carbon footprint. Sold our gas guzzling SUV’s and bought much
smaller, fuel efficient autos. Bought a small motor scooter to run errands on and drive to work
on nice days. The amount of money we spend on gas has dropped dramatically! If everyone makes
small changes in their lifestyles we can make a difference.
DD
My wife and I have reduced our carbon footprint. Sold our gas guzzling SUV’s and bought much
smaller, fuel efficient autos. Bought a small motor scooter to run errands on and drive to work
on nice days. The amount of money we spend on gas has dropped dramatically! If everyone makes
small changes in their lifestyles we can make a difference.
DD
Many thanks, Ship Bright. Much to ponder, much to share.
Many thanks, Ship Bright. Much to ponder, much to share.
This article clearly illustrates that relying on energy companies to police themselves does NOT work, and demonstrates the vital need for strict governmental regulations that are consistently enforced . Where profits are concerned, we cannot depend on companies to voluntarily ‘do the right thing’ when it will cost them money to do so.
This past spring, I worked on a special science project with one of my 6th grade students. It was a project on biomes and, while the main information came from her textbook, we also did quite a bit of research online. I have always been concerned about the environment and make a point to learn what I can, but I was amazed to find out just how critical the wetlands are to a multitude of lifeforms.
I had no idea just how many different organisms used the wetlands for mating, spawning, hatching, migrating, feeding, etc. So many of the animals we connect with other places (lakes, streams, oceans, meadows) rely on the wetlands for a critical part of their life. The lower organisms (which I suspect are most at risk from the oil contamination) are vital to the food chain, and their loss will ultimately impact even those animals that never travel near the wetlands.
Thank you, Ship Bright, for sharing this important information. Between you and the sixth grade science curriculum, I’ve learned something new, even at my old age!
This article clearly illustrates that relying on energy companies to police themselves does NOT work, and demonstrates the vital need for strict governmental regulations that are consistently enforced . Where profits are concerned, we cannot depend on companies to voluntarily ‘do the right thing’ when it will cost them money to do so.
This past spring, I worked on a special science project with one of my 6th grade students. It was a project on biomes and, while the main information came from her textbook, we also did quite a bit of research online. I have always been concerned about the environment and make a point to learn what I can, but I was amazed to find out just how critical the wetlands are to a multitude of lifeforms.
I had no idea just how many different organisms used the wetlands for mating, spawning, hatching, migrating, feeding, etc. So many of the animals we connect with other places (lakes, streams, oceans, meadows) rely on the wetlands for a critical part of their life. The lower organisms (which I suspect are most at risk from the oil contamination) are vital to the food chain, and their loss will ultimately impact even those animals that never travel near the wetlands.
Thank you, Ship Bright, for sharing this important information. Between you and the sixth grade science curriculum, I’ve learned something new, even at my old age!
Good essay, Ship. Thanks.
Good essay, Ship. Thanks.
Thanks, Ship Bright, for your excellent post. The information about some of the other places in the world was something I hadn’t heard before, especially Nigeria.
One more reason we all need to increase our awareness of the consequences of continuing our dependence on oil for things that make our lives more comfortable.
TX Me, I admire the way you and your family do things to lessen your use of oil and gas. I also recycle – started that back in the early 70s when I was teaching. But given that I now have arthritis in both feet and have had back trouble for more years than I can remember, I can’t walk to get my groceries. I’m unofficially retired, though, so I don’t drive that much – usually it’s 3 to 4 weeks between fill-ups for me. When I do errands, I try to combine them into one day and take the shortest route between places I have to go.
We have a commuter train in our area, but I would have to drive 20 minutes to get to any of the stations. That’s thanks to voters not wanting to have it go through our town. Maybe if the price of a gallon of gasoline finally hits something over $5 a gallon, some of them will reconsider.
The problem that I see is that we are used to quick and easy solutions to problems. Things happen faster now than they did 50 years ago and that’s what we expect for everything. But the answers to making the transition from oil to sustainable resources doesn’t seem to be quick or easy and first we have to break the stangle-hold that the oil industry has on our politicians. I fear that it’s going to be a lot harder than we think and take a lot longer than we would hope. But we have to keep trying. The problem is not going to go away on its own.
Thanks, Ship Bright, for your excellent post. The information about some of the other places in the world was something I hadn’t heard before, especially Nigeria.
One more reason we all need to increase our awareness of the consequences of continuing our dependence on oil for things that make our lives more comfortable.
TX Me, I admire the way you and your family do things to lessen your use of oil and gas. I also recycle – started that back in the early 70s when I was teaching. But given that I now have arthritis in both feet and have had back trouble for more years than I can remember, I can’t walk to get my groceries. I’m unofficially retired, though, so I don’t drive that much – usually it’s 3 to 4 weeks between fill-ups for me. When I do errands, I try to combine them into one day and take the shortest route between places I have to go.
We have a commuter train in our area, but I would have to drive 20 minutes to get to any of the stations. That’s thanks to voters not wanting to have it go through our town. Maybe if the price of a gallon of gasoline finally hits something over $5 a gallon, some of them will reconsider.
The problem that I see is that we are used to quick and easy solutions to problems. Things happen faster now than they did 50 years ago and that’s what we expect for everything. But the answers to making the transition from oil to sustainable resources doesn’t seem to be quick or easy and first we have to break the stangle-hold that the oil industry has on our politicians. I fear that it’s going to be a lot harder than we think and take a lot longer than we would hope. But we have to keep trying. The problem is not going to go away on its own.
Excellent post, Ship Bright.
I’m beginning research for a series on cooperation in the eastern Mediterranean between environmentalist groups in Israel, the Occupied Palestinian territories, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Turkey and Greece. Not enough has been written about how these young environmentalists from widely diverging polities are uniting to attempt to save this historic area. But not enough has been written about how dreadfully polluted the Niger Delta and oilfields have gotten.
Excellent post, Ship Bright.
I’m beginning research for a series on cooperation in the eastern Mediterranean between environmentalist groups in Israel, the Occupied Palestinian territories, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Turkey and Greece. Not enough has been written about how these young environmentalists from widely diverging polities are uniting to attempt to save this historic area. But not enough has been written about how dreadfully polluted the Niger Delta and oilfields have gotten.
Thanks for this post. I find it both discouraging & encouraging. The other day I was talking to my husband about the guilt I feel about our working for oil companies, although, I said to him, I’m not ready to give up driving or using plastic or any of the other thousands of things that are dependent upon the oil industry. We were also talking about the Nigeria situation.
I get frustrated about all of the anti-oil rhetoric from people who are not walking the talk. I don’t mean here at the Mudflats as much as everywhere else that people who could be making a difference through finding ways to reduce their own dependence upon it cannot be bothered to do so because it’s inconvenient, it’s hard work. Where are the students studying environmental engineering and science? There are so few of them. Another thing that is hard work, the sciences.
It is very frustrating for me here in TX to read editorials in the paper, letters to the editor, etc., about the evil drilling moratorium. Of course those people are either dishonest about the details (Krauthammer et al) or just willfully uniformed (the public writing the letters) — the moratorium is almost nothing in terms of prevention. It’s really just breathing room.
But guess what, in AK it’s nearly the same. Same editorials, same letters to the editor. And then the piling on over Ethan B’s proposal. The oil companies are making tons of money, we’re not getting our share, blah blah blah! Such hypocrisy! It’s infuriating. How many of those people have sat in on meetings comparing cost of doing business in AK vs. cost of doing business elsewhere? People in AK crying over Ethan the traitor and not seeing that ACES drives the oil companies to “friendlier” places like Ecuador & Nigeria? No connection? No personal responsibility? ACES, by designating a “clear & equitable share” for Alaska/Alaskans (that’s a SUBJECTIVE thing, clear & equitable, by the way), established an extremely polarizing us vs. them environment in Alaska. Gee, what a surprise coming from the governor-quitter-polarizer-in-chief-palin. It sure is easy to get Alaskans to worship their PFDS and hate the oil companies.
I am, perhaps ridiculously, a recycling fanatic. I was in the UK when it was very difficult to be so. The neighbors thought I was crazy. My husband rides his bike to work at an oil company. He is the only one who does so in his building. At our last posting I could go without driving for a month at a time, walking to get groceries, taking the c-train to do errands. With a toddler in tow. Okay, good for you, you’re saying, well, what I am really saying is that we all have a responsibility to make a difference in any & every way that we can, big, small, anything.
When Americans are willing to pay for their oil & oil-products, I mean REALLY pay, like we did while living in the UK (hello $8+/gal fuel!), then we can have real, productive discussions.
Thanks for this thougtful post.
“Where are the students studying environmental engineering and science? There are so few of them. Another thing that is hard work, the sciences.”
It’s not that they aren’t doing it at all, it’s that they are not paid particularly well. Why? Because when you spend most of your life begging and scraping for grant money, you find yourself staring at your student loans and realizing that idealism doesn’t really pay the bills in this country. Too little long-term commitment to the topic. Not to mention this laughable belief that instantaneous results are de rigeur (by the general populace). In real science, you are wrong more often than right, and it’s usually slow going. Hardly the stuff of heady overblown newspaper headlines.
Even the one yesterday, about the gel that reduces HIV infection 39% in women (and HPV) failed to underscore that this took a LOT of trial-and-error to effect. Years. And that co$t$!
Maybe…just maybe…that’s going to change.
I still don’t understand why so many people who call themselves conservatives and are regarded as leaders, do not see conservation as a natural fit. Same root word. Call it conserving resources, or call it using less to spend less, but it works out the same.
Thanks for this post. I find it both discouraging & encouraging. The other day I was talking to my husband about the guilt I feel about our working for oil companies, although, I said to him, I’m not ready to give up driving or using plastic or any of the other thousands of things that are dependent upon the oil industry. We were also talking about the Nigeria situation.
I get frustrated about all of the anti-oil rhetoric from people who are not walking the talk. I don’t mean here at the Mudflats as much as everywhere else that people who could be making a difference through finding ways to reduce their own dependence upon it cannot be bothered to do so because it’s inconvenient, it’s hard work. Where are the students studying environmental engineering and science? There are so few of them. Another thing that is hard work, the sciences.
It is very frustrating for me here in TX to read editorials in the paper, letters to the editor, etc., about the evil drilling moratorium. Of course those people are either dishonest about the details (Krauthammer et al) or just willfully uniformed (the public writing the letters) — the moratorium is almost nothing in terms of prevention. It’s really just breathing room.
But guess what, in AK it’s nearly the same. Same editorials, same letters to the editor. And then the piling on over Ethan B’s proposal. The oil companies are making tons of money, we’re not getting our share, blah blah blah! Such hypocrisy! It’s infuriating. How many of those people have sat in on meetings comparing cost of doing business in AK vs. cost of doing business elsewhere? People in AK crying over Ethan the traitor and not seeing that ACES drives the oil companies to “friendlier” places like Ecuador & Nigeria? No connection? No personal responsibility? ACES, by designating a “clear & equitable share” for Alaska/Alaskans (that’s a SUBJECTIVE thing, clear & equitable, by the way), established an extremely polarizing us vs. them environment in Alaska. Gee, what a surprise coming from the governor-quitter-polarizer-in-chief-palin. It sure is easy to get Alaskans to worship their PFDS and hate the oil companies.
I am, perhaps ridiculously, a recycling fanatic. I was in the UK when it was very difficult to be so. The neighbors thought I was crazy. My husband rides his bike to work at an oil company. He is the only one who does so in his building. At our last posting I could go without driving for a month at a time, walking to get groceries, taking the c-train to do errands. With a toddler in tow. Okay, good for you, you’re saying, well, what I am really saying is that we all have a responsibility to make a difference in any & every way that we can, big, small, anything.
When Americans are willing to pay for their oil & oil-products, I mean REALLY pay, like we did while living in the UK (hello $8+/gal fuel!), then we can have real, productive discussions.
Thanks for this thougtful post.
“Where are the students studying environmental engineering and science? There are so few of them. Another thing that is hard work, the sciences.”
It’s not that they aren’t doing it at all, it’s that they are not paid particularly well. Why? Because when you spend most of your life begging and scraping for grant money, you find yourself staring at your student loans and realizing that idealism doesn’t really pay the bills in this country. Too little long-term commitment to the topic. Not to mention this laughable belief that instantaneous results are de rigeur (by the general populace). In real science, you are wrong more often than right, and it’s usually slow going. Hardly the stuff of heady overblown newspaper headlines.
Even the one yesterday, about the gel that reduces HIV infection 39% in women (and HPV) failed to underscore that this took a LOT of trial-and-error to effect. Years. And that co$t$!
Maybe…just maybe…that’s going to change.
I still don’t understand why so many people who call themselves conservatives and are regarded as leaders, do not see conservation as a natural fit. Same root word. Call it conserving resources, or call it using less to spend less, but it works out the same.
I always enjoy Ship Bright’s posts, because clean water — especially freshwater, but ALL water — is so important for all of us. I worry about the Ogallala aquifer, which is being pumped at an unsustainable rate, so we can have genetically modified corn and soya crops in the midwest. I worry about the many waterways in the Appalachians being drowned in coal mining waste. Then I stop worrying, and take action. I write my Senators and Congresswoman. I join environmental groups. I stay informed.
I always enjoy Ship Bright’s posts, because clean water — especially freshwater, but ALL water — is so important for all of us. I worry about the Ogallala aquifer, which is being pumped at an unsustainable rate, so we can have genetically modified corn and soya crops in the midwest. I worry about the many waterways in the Appalachians being drowned in coal mining waste. Then I stop worrying, and take action. I write my Senators and Congresswoman. I join environmental groups. I stay informed.