In the wake of the BP disaster I heard many arguments for and against offshore drilling. Many have come out decrying the search for oil in our world's seas. It stands to reason that a catastrophe of this nature would turn people off from the practice as I debate internally on whether or not it's a good idea.What's depressing about this whole thing is that before BP decided to destroy our environment as a result of incompetence many were decrying our dependnce on foreign oil hoping that we stop making OPEC rich. Others were stressing the need for alternative fuel sources all the while doing nothing to support a market for it.
The real tragedy about the wanton destruction of our environment is this is what people wanted, cheap domestic oil. We can't be bothered to ride the bus to work, nor give up our precious SUVs. The inconvenience of settling into a true alternative is more of an expense than people are willing to sacrifice.
I watch the video of oil gushing into our lush environment as it lays waste to our precious resources and can't help but feel responsible for the devastation. Cheap crude is what I always asked for at the pump and the market answered. I shouldn't be too hard on myself, but since I'm not part of the solution....
What's even more depressing that since this tragedy of biblical proportions I haven't done anything to sway my addiction to convenient transportation. I might never will until it's too late.
"But reducing harmful emissions, abating our dependence on foreign oil and developing alternative renewable energy sources have benefits that go beyond environmental health, they improve personal health, enhance national security and encourage our nation's economic viability." - Jim Clyburn
3 comments:
I would gladly take the bus to work, if there actually was a bus that went from my home to work.
I live less than a mile from a Park & Ride. My office is less than a mile from another Park & Ride. The two Park & Ride's are less than 10 miles apart. There isn't a single bus that goes between the two.
It's not like the oil company wanted to spill the oil. How much money have they spent trying to fix the leak? How much money will they not be able to generate because the spilled oil cannot be sold/refined?
This is an opportunity for American ingenuity to succeed and generate local wealth and employment.
It's ironic that the Chinese have the same word for crisis and opportunity yet the nation is Communist. This crisitunity can benefit a capitalist nation like the US.
I give kudos to those that are able to ride the bus to work or even better, ride their bike. I unfortunately live too far to do either .... what happened over there was heartbreaking though, just heartbreaking.
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