The BP (one of the largest energy companies) oil spill is THE biggest spill to date in the Gulf of Mexico since 1980. The oil well is a mile deep, and has now leaked approximately 140.6 million gallons and still counting. Although, it is not the biggest oil spill in history, any oil spill is destructive in so many ways.
Red flags can be found all over the Gulf Coast, warning beach goers not to swim or touch the contaminated waters. Streaks of oil can be seen near the Florida coast, with occasional lumps of oil washing up on the Pensacola shore. The oil spill have taken away the simple things in life, from letting kids play and swim at the beach, to leisure fishing off the shore.
But on a more serious note, the spill has taken the lives of 11 workers back in April, when a rig blew up. A tremendous heartache and loss to friends and family. Not many people realize it, but fishing is a huge industry. Many have been gravely effected financially because fishing is their only source of income, which then takes a toll on family and marriages. Just like past oil spills, this disaster will take a toll economically, mentally and emotionally on many.
[Reuters, Gardener, http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-49821020100701]
Currently, there have been relief efforts on cleaning up oil on land and in water. Big vessels, such as the one dubbed as "A Whale," are out in the ocean scooping up the contaminated water and pouring out clear and clean water. This process is called oil skimming. On shore and off shore efforts are still strong and continuous, but not all efforts have shown to be 100% effective. BP and various organizations are working hard to come up with new solutions everyday.
How can you help? A number of organizations are recruiting volunteers. CNN has an article listing a number of organizations.
Click here to check it out, you're bound to find an organization you may want to volunteer for.
[photos courtesy via google images, keyword search bp oil spill]
