Deepening Disaster TRACKING THE GULF OIL SPILL

A + B = C A = natural hazards B = human factors (greed, arrogance, laziness, indifference…) C = catastrophe “We’re the one’s who turn a hazard into a disaster.” Profesor Robert G. Bea

BP's attempts to stanch the flow BP has tried numerous, complicated procedures to plug the oil leak, almost all of which have failed. One of the primary obstacles, the company has said, is the unprecedented depth of the leak, which has required that all of the work be completed by small submersible robots.

Drilling about one mile deep. Complicated… Drilling about one mile deep.

BP's attempts to stanch the flow April 28: Protective booms May 2: Relief wells May 8: Containment chamber May 11: "Top hat“ May 16: Insertion tube May 26: "Top kill" May 28: "Junk shot“ May 29: "Sever and cap" June 15: Capture efforts increased

Philadelphia Examiner June 16th… New figures based on the latest scientific data  bring the gushing Deepwater Horizon well to between 1.47 and 2.7 million gallons a day.

Clean Up many fronts at once 1. constant oil flow 2. chemical dispersants 3. Ocean currents and winds

Soaking up the Oil 1. plastic booms 2. absorbent materials 3. boats to move booms according to currents in the Gulf.

President Obama said on 6-16 America should expect BP engineers to be able to contain “90% of the spill” before the end of June. However, the president added, leak will not be stopped until 2 relief wells are completed later this summer. The ‘bottom kill’ method is said to be the only way to end the flow from the ruptured well.

Oil Spill Wildlife Losses

Wildlife Rescue A. Oiled Animals 1. Birds 2. Turtles 3. Fish “Number one thing we can do is protect and restore their habitat.” Doug Inkly, National Wildlife Federation.

Gulf of Mexico oil spill to endanger wildlife, lead to job losses too

"environmental disaster" Brown pelicans came off the endangered species list in November, but as oil advances to their Louisiana home, their progress could be threatened.

Wildlife Rescue B. Wetlands and Marshes. Too many people are problematic Flood protection Habitat Breeding grounds

Clean-up costs States along the Gulf coast are increasingly demanding financial compensation from BP as the spill spreads along their shorelines, slamming tourism and fishing industries, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Worst Oil Leak in History Consequences will go on for years Affect nature Economy All aspects of life

Oil now in… Louisiana Alabama Mississippi Florida

Our Past I. Three Mile Island Harrisburg, Pa. 1979 II. Exxon Valdez 10.8 million gal oil (2006 survey, still harming wildlife.) 1989 DeepWater Horizon New safety, oversite and liability Undercut expansion of industry LEVER to push away from fossil fuels (Robert Brulle. Drexel University)

Our Future ¼ of U.S. drilling is deep well (1,000 ft or more) Gulf States STILL want oil drilling to continue Regulators need to separate from Oil and Gas which it regulates Invest in clean up technologies

Largest oil spill in U.S. history Gulf Oil Leak. What will the long term consequences be?