ATTN: Please don’t read this post if you are unable to think for yourself.
3.5 million gallons of crude (the approximate total amount spilled so far 06/09/2010) is less than 0.5% of our country’s daily oil consumption. The total amount of oil spilled is a tiny amount relative to how much we consume in the US every day. This spill is nothing compared to the damage we’re slowly doing to the planet. And the first people who should be put on trial are all of us (you, me, everyone), not BP.
I don’t support freaking out and sensationalism in general but especially not in this case when it actually hurts progress. These sort of over-reactions not only spread hate (the Consumerist – ironically doesn’t get that we the consumers are the real culprits of this spill), but don’t solve what’s going to be a 150 year problem by the time we start to seriously address it. The consequences of our oil addiction will ultimately affect the planet for over a millennium. This spill is not a big deal when you look at the big picture.
Accidents like the one at Piper Alpha are far more upsetting to me than this spill. See this 3 part video on Piper Alpha that shows a time when another British company, Occidental in this case, had the power to stop a huge accident from occurring but failed to do so. [Yes, the re-enactments are a bit corny, but they get the facts right.]
Bottom Line: BP is not my favorite company (Texas City Refinery Explosion is one of my top reasons), but I think they’re trying to handle this situation appropriately. Rioting about it is like hiding under your desk during a nuclear fallout – it’s a fool’s errand.
Think I’m wrong? Post a comment (and start biking to work).
Update: The numbers have changed significantly since I wrote this. They’ve probably spilt 10x the oil than the numbers I used. Definitely a lot of oil. Definitely a tragedy for a lot of people. My point remains: We the people have demanded the oil and we too should bear some of the responsibility.
Very interesting article. Keep posting dude !!