I don’t know if it is because I am paying attention this year, or maybe I’m just older and thus more aware of it, but it seems there’s a LOT going on in 2010. The Haiti, Chile and then Qinghai earthquakes, Eyjafjallajökull, the Polish plane crash in Russia, there was the Olympics, the Expo, and of course, the World Cup.
And then there’s BP.
Unless you have literally been hiding under a rock for the past 2 months, you’d know at least to some varying degree what is happening in the Gulf of Mexico. Because we’re far up here in safe ol’ Canaland, the Gulf War (BP vs. the environment, oil vs. the environment, BP vs. the people, society vs. environment, tasty money vs. the planet… take your pick) seems distant. A problem indeed, but nonetheless something that affects us little. I mean, we don’t even have BP stations around here. Boycotting the station in hopes that your –$30 worth of gas will damage them is not even an option for us. So why should we care?
Historically, this Gulf War isn’t the largest oil spill. Fuck-ups like this occur regularly; far too often when it comes to oil spills. However when was the last time we heard of a Nigerian oil spill? These are some of the most environmentally and economically destructive disasters that are 100% our fault. Us. Humans. The reason the BP spill is causing such a riot, especially as of recent is proximity. People, Americans, are panicking as this is occurring so close to home. It is also much easier to clean up the mess in our the American corner of the world before going halfway across to clean up someone else’s. I just adore how selfless the world is. But the point I’d like to make is this BP leak is a global problem, and should be a worldwide clean-up. Maybe I’d just like the world to pitch in and help with the problems we are all facing. Then again, this is BP’s fault, right?
It’s BP’s oil yeah, and they did fess up to it. Y’know, I think they reacted appropriately (once past the lawyers and initial media onslaught), and I think they took responsibility quickly enough. There was/is some covering up by many parties, but this is a case where everyone is accusing someone else of lying. Nobody is ever saying the whole truth. What I know for certain is 1. There is a lot of oil—a LOT—escaping into the ocean 2. Regardless of who fucked up and who the point the finger at, this oil needs to be cleaned, and 3. It is extremely damaging.
I just want to write a bit about the ‘oh shit’ of the spill. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be covered in crude. Seeing the pictures of the animals, the landscapes, the water, the life that is overwhelmed with black and brown and red is just disgusting. Horrific. The real fffffffuuuuuuuu comes from the ignorance and the uncertainty of how to react. That’s the real hard part. It is one thing drop a mug and have leave it there, as opposed to quickly running for a broom and dustpan. Nobody knows anything. That is what’s scary: the fact that we have all contributed—yes, all of us— and produced this monster that we do not how to kill. It is a problem that has exploded into an uncontrollable puzzle with no real solution. While some geniuses attempt to shove golfballs and rubber-bands in the hole, fourth- and fifth-graders are coming up with real solutions. Oh world, you’re so silly.
So, what do I think? I think BP is an asshole. I think they were responsible, but could have done much better. The plug is still not sealed yet, they better hop on it. I think the world is kind of sitting back saying, “OH HAI GUYZ BP FUKKED UP RLY BAD I DOAN LIEK U NOMORE BUT WERE GONNA HALP LULZ JK NO WERE NOT U SUCK.” They should instead respond, much like they did with the Haiti quakes, and clean.
I then think my good buddy Media is doing what it does best. Taking the worst facts, reporting the potentials as actuals, and creating gloom-n’-doom for us all. Although terrible, and an impact with massive repercussions, I think that if people settle down, come up with some solutions, and everyone contributes constructively, this can be resolved.
