On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig tragically exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 crewmembers. Over the next 84 days, nearly 206,000,000 gallons of crude oil spewed into the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to threatening hundreds of thousands of jobs which are dependent on the Gulf Coast commercial and recreational fishing and tourism industries, the largest oil spill in U.S. history has already killed thousands of animals and threatens Gulf’s many vital ecosystems, including populations of more than 25 endangered species.
While assessments are conducted to determine whether the containment cap can be confirmed as a permanent fix, the prognosis remains uncertain. Will the marshlands recover? Will the affected species rebound? How long will it take? These are the pressing issues at hand.
EarthShare’s member charities have been working to lessen the impacts of the oil spill. Our charities are on the ground, serving as experts and first responders, organizing volunteers and tracking the spill. They will continue to work on long term clean-up and restoration efforts in the Gulf, as well as advocating for safer, cleaner energy choices for America so that future disasters can be avoided. Here are some of the ways that many of our charities are helping:
VOLUNTEERS
Only the Unified Command, which includes the US Coast Guard, BP, and other government agencies, has the authority to approve the use of volunteers in oil-impacted areas; only volunteers with HAZMAT training can come into contact with the oil. However, a number of EarthShare’s groups are coordinating lists of volunteers to help with other facets of the recovery, including pre-beach cleanups, surveying impacted areas and assisting with additional needs.
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE
EarthShare’s member groups represent some of the world’s top experts in oil spill response, ocean and marsh restoration, and ecology. Shortly after the incident, our groups were called upon to serve as advisors for the Unified Command.
INFORMATION/TRACKING
In an area as large as the Gulf of Mexico, tracking and analyzing the impacts of the oil spill is a tremendous challenge. EarthShare’s groups are working to measure the effects of the spill, and organizing surveillance team to help account for all of the oil that has been spilled.
ADVOCACY
EarthShare’s members are working to hold BP responsible for the oil spill as well as to advocate for a cleaner, greener energy policy for the US, passage of stronger environmental protection laws, and stricter enforcement of the currently existing protection laws.
EarthShare charities in action and how you can get involved!
Defenders of Wildlife announced that they plan to file suit against BP for the harm that the oil spill has one to endangered species in the Gulf, including sperm whales, manatees, Gulf sturgeon, and five kinds of sea turtles. They also developed a website to education on immediate and long term impacts.
Earthjustice is representing the Gulf Restoration Network and The Sierra Club in pushing for stricter regulation of offshore rigs, such as the Deepwater Horizon, by the Minerals Management Service. Why? According to an Earthjustice attorney, "...it is actually easier to get a permit for an offshore oil well than for a hot dog stand.”
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, a leader in habitat and wildlife restoration throughout the Gulf, has taken immediate action to ensure the survival of the species that will be hardest hit by enhancing habitat and food sources outside the affected area; and by bolstering reproduction in populations outside the immediate spill region. NFWF’s proactive actions investing in beach protection and wildlife monitoring will reduce losses and increase reproductive capacity, so that the Gulf’s birds and animals can recover from this devastating event.
To monitor the impact of the BP Oil Spill on wildlife and habitat, the National Wildlife Federation is organizing and deploying volunteer surveillance teams to observe the more than 10,000 miles of shoreline along the Gulf Coast. Volunteers will make daily tours of key coastal sites; notify trained rescue and rehabilitation teams of oiled or injured wildlife, and help watch for signs of the oil spill to new areas in the Gulf region.
The Nature Conservancy is coordinating volunteers to assist in recovery efforts as needs arise. They are also continuing their efforts to restore the Texas Gulf Coast, which features ecological restoration as well as the establishment of sustainable fishing industries, is already being viewed by some as a model for restoration across the entire Gulf Coast region.
Ocean Conservancy, like many other EarthShare member organizations, is mobilizing volunteers to remove trash from beaches before the oil hits. Handling debris and trash which gets covered in oil requires specially trained volunteers, making the cleanup more complicated. Ocean Conservancy’s experts were also quickly deployed to assist in engaging affected communities, assessing the impacts, and advising on plans for restoration. Their scientists, lawyers, and policy experts have the know-how and experience to effectively work in critical areas in the aftermath of the disaster, and continue to assist in advising the on-the-ground operations.
Surfrider Foundation has created a toolkit full of important information for volunteers who are responding to oil spill disasters. And with Ocean Conservancy have teamed up with SkyTruth to create the online Gulf Oil Spill Tracker. This interactive website catalogues the many sightings of oil and oiled wildlife throughout the gulf region. The website provides a place for Gulf Coast residents to report incidents in their local areas as well as a resource for people across the country to learn about the first-hand impacts of the spill.
Wildlife Conservation Society is bolstering safe harbor areas for the affected endangered species in other parts of the region included in the species’ travel range. In Nicaragua and Panama, WCS is working with local authorities to create protected areas for green and hawksbill turtles, and to reduce poaching. Also, they are now redoubling efforts to increase funding for the Marine Turtle Conservation Act through supplemental funding for the Gulf response.
WCS is also working to direct increased federal resources to the joint National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) Wildlife Branch of the Unified Command and establish a new grants fund for zoos and aquariums that assist in wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, or research. Many zoos and aquariums across the country are trying to provide a safe haven for animals that are rescued and in need of rehabilitation, but need emergency funding for those additional services or programs.
It takes millions of years to create some of the special places we value and treasure, and years to develop a comprehensive protection plan. Sadly, tragedies like this show us how quickly they can be destroyed.
Ongoing donations to these charities will enable them to implement the long-term restoration plans needed to restore the Gulf to a healthy level for people, marine life, and industry.
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