A lot of us have cars, and in order to run these cars we need to fill up with petrol. I will ask you, if you, yourself fill up your car at BP garages. If your answer is no, then it could be because of the reason I am about to discuss. If you do, I am sure, you don’t do it out of consciousness, more out of desperation and you will fill up your car wherever the nearest garage is, and if that happens to be BP then so be it. But I am going to remind you of a shocking ethical crisis that occurred almost 7 years ago now, to aid you in making more conscious decisions.
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill happened almost 7 years ago now. Now I am sure, much like other massive crisis in the world such as the 911 bombings and the 7/7 bombings, you remember just what you were doing when it happened.
It was on the evening of 20th April 2010 when a gas release and subsequent explosion occurred on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig working on the Gulf of Mexico. 11 people died in a result of this explosion and many injured. I want to give you some facts about the oil spill:
More than 200 million gallons of crude oil was pumped in to the Gulf of Mexico for a total of 87 days. TWO HUNDRED MILLION GALLONS. To think about that number is just ghastly and if you can’t picture it in gallons picture it in FIVE MILLION BARRELS of oil. Yep - that’s a lot.
16,000 total miles of coastline have been affected, including the coasts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Destroying so much marine and sea life.
Even though the gushing well was capped in July 2010 oil is STILL washing up on shores, which could cause long-term damages to people living in the area.
Responders used 5.5 million feet of boom, a barrier placed in the water, to collect and absorb oil.
Of the 400 miles of Louisiana coast, approximately 125 miles have been polluted.
Over 8,000 animals were reported dead just 6 months after the spill, many that were on the endangered species list.
BP is responsible for close to $40b in fines, clean up costs and settlements as a result. With an additional $16b due to the Clean Water Act.
I hope that this has reminded you of such a terrible incident that happened, and will encourage you to think with your eco-warrior cap on before turning to BP when you need petrol.
Leave your feedback and comments below!
-Ethically Sourced’s Laura.
Yes 5 years on, people have forgotten on how bad this was. BP made many mistakes and tried to palm off the blame but it was all down to poor assessments and bad testing which you think they would be more careful of due the heavy impact it would have on the environment. I most certainly won't be visiting BP at a time of need. Good read.
ReplyDeleteFantastic comment Cameron! This is so right and i agree 100%, they need to be held responsible 6 years later and people need to remember the harmful impact they made to the world.
DeleteThis was absolutely outrageous! BP should of known better and worked professionally. The environment should not be responsible for bad management. Interesting read and very well expressed.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Danae, BP dont get as much backlash as they deserve! Thank you for your comment.
DeleteThis always makes me think twice about filling up my car in a BP garage!
ReplyDeleteThis is so good to know Christie. Carry on being eco conscious, your wise decisions will rub off on others!
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