Today marks the one-year anniversary of the record-breaking BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The spill, which released more than 2 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, wreaked environmental havoc on the shorelines of the Gulf as well as its deep sea-life. 11 lives were lost, and millions of sea creatures, land animals and seabirds were killed by this massive disaster. The economies in the southern regions of Mississippi, Louisiana, and other southern states were severely wounded by the sudden insufficiency of jobs. According to the Surfrider Foundation, “One year later the situation is still dire, with over 66 miles of coastline still posted as moderately or severely oiled and 1,000 square miles of ocean still closed to fishing. Economists believe that up to $783 million in commercial fishing losses and 11,000 jobs have been lost in Louisiana alone.” This spill, caused by an explosion in the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, was the largest and most devastating in all of history. According to the AP, “The deadly blowout of an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico was triggered by a bubble of methane gas that escaped from the well and shot up the drill column, expanding quickly as it burst through several seals and barriers before exploding, according to interviews with rig workers conducted during BP’s internal investigation.” Today, one year later, not much has changed. Though the actual leak has been contained, the effects of the spill remain monumental. "Dispersant-laden oil continues to wash up on Gulf coast beaches threatening coastal recreation and the environment," says Chad Nelsen, Environmental Director for the Surfrider Foundation. These lasting effects will continue to afflict the coast unless a united effort is made by BP or the government to clean up this mess that was once beautiful shoreline.
By: Anne Lehan
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