The news broke yesterday that the oil spill is much worse than once originally thought; it is now officially bigger than the Exxon Valdez oil spill. The oil that is spewing into the Gulf is actually “five times bigger than what BP and the Coast Guard previously estimated,” according to an article in the Palm Beach Post.
Additionally, the disbursement chemicals that were meant to thin out the oil, causing it to “bead” and drop to the ocean floor, is making the situation worse. Diver Jacques Cousteau took a look below the surface and shared his findings with the world on Thursday. He prounounced it a “nightmare”. Indeed, the headlines this morning screamed that this oil spill is the “biggest in U.S. History.”
South Florida Animal Rights activists have responded in a big way. Demonstrations have been planned and carried out at BP gas stations around West Palm Beach.
Discussing the possibility that the spill will come near West Palm Beach and surrounding beaches, animal rights activist Angie Grieco says: “I'm really not that optimistic that we will be spared, …..why people are still buying BP gas baffles me . . . .”
Concerned about the welfare of the animals affected by the catastrophic spill, activists are seeking ways to assist in the efforts to rescue sea birds, turtles and other affected animals and habitats. The University Of Florida Extension Office has some suggestions.
Warnings posted on their website caution that it is not a good idea to attempt to assist wildlife on your own. They encourage people who have seen injured or sick wildlife to call a wildlife rehabilitator. In the West Palm Beach area, that would be David Hitzig, Executive Director of Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter.
Though there may not be any immediate danger to wildlife in our area, officials are asking everyone to consider joining in beach clean-ups around the area.
Organizers at Volunteer Florida say “Even though the oil spill is nowhere near [our]…. Beaches, County officials …..are organizing a massive beach cleanup effort. The effort focuses on removing as much debris as possible before any oil reaches the beaches to minimize cleanup efforts in the event the oil does reach the beaches. If oil reaches the beaches all debris will be considered contaminated and have to be removed by hazardous materials specialists.”
Activists wanting to become involved can check out the Volunteer Florida website for details on where and when beach clean-up efforts take place.
The Friends of Jupiter Beach hold a monthly beach clean-up the first Saturday of each month,
Activists interested in attending protests and volunteer efforts should send a request to be put on the distribution list to Animals101FL@aol.com
Comments
This is our home. We just took a dump where we eat and everyone wants to look the other way. There is no dignity left for people.
idk
excellent article. I am so sick over thisI can no longer find the words to express my outrage.
I'm still trying to be optimistic but it seems every day the news get worse; a "fix" may not be in place until August?? This is just too overwhelming; hopefully, something positive will come out of this; perhaps a wakeup call for all in the oil biz to get their emergency plans perfected, and an outcry against offshore drilling; thanks for this important post
OBAMA KNEW within 3 days of the explosion yet denied any assistance from13 nation & UN in the containment; dallied 4 weeks on Louisiana's governor's request for permits to build a protective berm. BP is using dispersants with Gov. permission which is poison and which HIDES the oil but makes it more difficult to contain. Where is the outrage at OBAMA??
Can we charge Obama with Animal Cruelty ?????
Didn't "Diver Jacques Cousteau" die in 1997?
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