Though we spend most of our time on land, three-quarters of this planet that we live upon is covered in water, and most of that is oceans and seas, saltwater. The oceans are a big buffer zone. They can absorb a lot of harmful changes and abuse. They can take a lot...but we have pushed the oceans beyond their limit, past their ability to adapt. Coral reefs, the home and breeding grounds of many of the fish in the sea, are dead and dying all over the world. Acting like a coal miner's canary, the reefs are the first sign of mortal danger. Our ocean's canary has fallen off the perch and is dying. Pollution in some regions, over-fishing in others, and Global Warming's carbon footprint, these are the culprits.
As go the oceans, so go the rest of the planet. Our own lives and fate are inextricably linked to the health of the ocean. In protecting the ocean, we protect ourselves. There has never been so great a threat to our well-being before. Sadly, since we live our lives on a small portion of that twenty-five percent which is land, we seldom see or recognize the damage and destruction we're doing. By the time most of us find out about it, the damage is already done, and it's nearly too late.
Corporations care only for their profits. That is why they pay the fines and continue to dump toxic and radioactive wastes into our homes. Gambling and cruise ships pour raw sewerage, including noxious chemicals, directly into the seas beneath them. Paper mills pour tons of toxic byproducts into the oceans. Plastic manufacturing plants do the same. For centuries, man has over-fished a bountiful region, driving some species to the brink of extinction, all the while spewing filth into those very waters that sustain us.
Protect The Ocean
The Cove :: Take Part
The Cove exposes not only the tragedy of dolphin slaughtering in Japan, but also the dangerously high levels of mercury in dolphin meat and seafood, the cruelty in capturing dolphins for entertainment, and the depletion of our oceans fisheries by worldwide seafood consumption. We also see how the mandate of the International Whaling Commission has been manipulated by the Japanese Fisheries Agency for its benefit and its subsequent effect on the rest of the world.
It runs from the Gulf of Mexico, around and up the eastern shores of the United States, then heads east, and finally returns to a southbound coarse, protecting the coast of Europe and the United Kingdom. Disturb that flow, alter the course and life-forms, and the entire Northern Hemisphere is in immediate danger. Europe and the UK could be thrown into chaos as the protective warm waters gave way, freeze killing off thousands of people at a time. The U.S. would not be unscathed either. Our own shores are also protected by the Gulf Stream. Now realize that the rest of the delicate balance could be thrown off by changes in the Gulf Stream. What we do in one area could realistically and seriously devastate the entire planet.
The effects are already being felt. Across the globe, storms have risen up -- hurricanes of tremendous severity, and in unprecedented numbers. Katrina was a warning shot. The hurricanes of this past year are signs of the unraveling of the balances of nature. We would be wise to heed that warning.
Who is looking out for the oceans while we live our lives up on dry land? A few organizations come to mind. Greenpeace (more so in times past,) Paul Watson's Sea Shepherd, Ocean Conservancy, and even Surfrider. Why not the fishermen themselves? Some simply don't have the know-how, the ability to recognize the differences. Commercial fishing and whaling fleets intentionally turn a blind-eye, knowing full well what the potential risks are, but daring anyway. They care more about their profits than any future price we all may pay. By their thinking, when the risk is close at hand then they must wring every dime they can from the ocean before it's too late to do so.
We're here to watch, to guard, to inform and educate, and to protect the ocean. We invite you to join us, in spirit and in action. By protecting the ocean, we bring health and life to ourselves.
A Nalco spokesman claims that “Both COREXIT dispersants have been approved by the EPA as part of the National Contingency Plan for treating oil spills.” What they don’t bother to mention is the circumstances for which they are approved, and that the approved dispersal method does NOT allow for it to be used sub-surface. In fact, as we reported earlier in this ecological disaster, the EPA and BP are specifically prohibited from using it in that fashion by the Clean Water Act of 1972. (CWA) Read the rest of this entry »
The video below provides clear proof that the Ady Gil was run over by intent.
Right now Pete Bethune, the captain of that vessel, a New Zealand citizen, is being held by the Japanese government, under trial for boarding the vessel to demand that the captain pay for the ship and answer to charges against him. Clearly the Ady Gil’s captain was no threat with so many Japanese crew on board. Yet they took him prisoner and sailed back to Japan with him. Read the rest of this entry »
For 40 days now, the oceans of the world have been contaminated by the disaster in the Gulf. The resulting oil spill has spewed tens of millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf, with no end in sight. Another million gallons of toxic Corexit dispersing solvents have been poured into the waters, both on top and below… and still we witness one hair-brained scheme after another from the “experts” at BP. Top Hat, Top Kill, talk of stopping it up with golf balls (as if a fluid under pressure wouldn’t find its way through THAT filter?) and never much sense or likelihood of success in any of them. At this point, one simply must wonder why BP is stalling. Read the rest of this entry »
The White House press conference has just wrapped up. It was primarily focused on the Gulf Oil Spill (which is appropriate.) Here’s a recap, with comments:
“Underscores the urgent need for our nation to develop clean, renewable energy.” We agree, Mr. President. So why is that development not happening? President Obama goes on to inform us that the House is preparing such a bill, and that the Senate is working on a bipartisan bill regarding renewable energy as well, to “Answer this challenge once and for all.” Sorry, Sir, but that’s largely rhetoric. This is the moment of conception for our nation’s move to Green energy. It’s hardly a “once and for all” circumstance. On that score, we’ll see what the bills hold.
Now on to the oil spill. ”We are relying on every expert… we will take ideas from anywhere.” Apparently not, Mr. President. Protect The Ocean has been stonewalled by your EPA as well as the US Coast Guard at every turn. We have attempted to provide information as to the dangers of pouring Corexit into the ocean, but been ignored. On several occasions, promises of return phone calls came back empty. Even the suggestion of putting a delivery pipe on the one which has a valve installed on it (so as to collect all of that oil and reduce pressure to the others) went unheeded and unanswered. But wait, it gets better. Read the rest of this entry »
BP initiated the final phase of the Top Kill operation overnight. The goal was to fill the leaking oil well with enough heavy material that it will neutralize the flow. Then BP will insert concrete into the well to plug it permanently
Think Positive! We all need this maneuver to work. If this procedure fails we may have to endure oil and solvents pouring into the ocean for several months while BP works on establishing a relief well.
As of 9am CST, some government officials were announcing that the procedure was a success. Sources inside BP have indicated that they are not prepared to announce any status until they can complete the operation and testing.
You can view the live feed video of the oil spill, complements of PBS. Thanks for the nice video.
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