Outlandish and Thoughts About Environmental Distasters
Isis PennantIn a couple of days we will load our travel trailer and head for the SCA’s Outlandish at Torrance County Park about 30 miles east of our home in Albuquerque. We will vend, of course, and socialize too. I like this event because I have no responsibilities except as a vendor. The park is a flat piece of land with scattered pinons and junipers. These small trees offer little protection from the winds which often blow. In spite of this we should have sunny weather, and no snow (or rain??), I hope.
The Gulf of Mexico oil leak may soon qualify as America’s greatest environmental disaster. President Obama is likely to get blamed , because BP can not stop the oil leak. The risky deep water drilling, and lack of a credible BP plan to stop the leak are a direct result of the Bush administration’s policy of giving big oil whatever it wanted.
I don’t remember the risks of deep sea drilling being discussed in the 2004 presidental election. At that time, drilling in any location that a drop of oil might be found was the Republican mantra. It was called energy independence. Saying I told you so is not enough. People need to learn that big oil and big business have only one goal. That is to maximize profits. IF BP goes bankrupt over this spill, I say that would be the best punishment. Still that fate will not stop the leak.
In fairness, other forms of energy production also involve environmental and safety risks. Coal mine disasters are one consequence of our dependence on coal. Nuclear power plants can leak radioactive wastes, and beside, no one wants such a plant in their neighborhood. Are wind and solar energy completely safe? Those who oppose these new technologies point out that birds are killed by spinning turbines The manufacture of photovoltaic cells uses harsh chemicals.
I think that proper placement of the wind turbines will cut down on the bird kill. Solar power technologies are rapidly evolving and a proper disposal of the resulting manufacturing wastes is a reasonable solution.
Still oil and gas are likely to be a part of our energy production for a long time. We need to strictly control their production to make it safe for humans and the environment.