Oil Spill Cleanup

The Mexican Gulf oil spill has put pressure on the oil industry. Oil produces the most profitable business operations worldwide because people highly demand oil, allowing high prices. Oil spill occurrences continue to increase. Arne Jernelöv argues in her article, “How to Defend against Future Oil Spills”, we must discover ways to stop oil spills. Another oil spill aspect deserves more attention. I agree that oil spill prevention demands more research, but accidents are inevitable. Therefore, the oil cleanup process needs more preparation, research, and devices to ensure a more efficient and timely cleanup.

People must be prepared for unusual circumstances because accidents come unexpectedly. The recent Gulf of Mexico’s accidental oil spill unveiled the industries poor preparation towards the cleanup process. James Grundvig’s article, “Gulf Oil Spill Cleanup Hampered by Lack of Preparation” describes the lack of preparation which led to a disastrous cleanup process. Grundvig said, “The single truth that has come out of this calamity is how woefully unprepared the oil industry and U.S. government have been in dealing with the oil spill.” The oil industries and the government must work together in order to accomplish a more effective cleanup. Also the Use today article, “Despite previous spills, oil cleanup research falls short,” covers the lack of preparation. In the article Richard Charter, an oil spill expert and conservation group member of Defenders of Wildlife, addresses the recent oil spill by claiming that, “We failed at preventing the spill. Now we’re failing in the response simply because we’d never gotten ready.” Both Grundvig and Charter obviously believe that oil cleanup requires more preparation. Therefore, the environment’s future relies on the cleanup team’s oil spill preparation.

The lack of research also affects the oil cleanup process. Julie Schmidt’s article, “Despite previous spills, oil cleanup research falls short”, describes why the oil spill cleanup process lacks success. Schmidt primarily blames the lack of research. She believed the tactics and equipment such as booms, dispersants, burners, and skimmer boats have barely changed since the Exxon Valdez oil spill due to the poor research. The lacking research has led to little change in cleanup methods. The government cut the federal funding for oil cleanup research in half between 1993 and 2008. How can a more efficient cleanup take place without the proper research? Well it cannot. Without the proper research new technology cannot be created. While little improvements have been created since the Exxon accident in Alaska, the greater improvements have been haltered According to Henry Fountain’s article, “Advances in Oil Spill Cleanup Lag Since Valdez” he believes, “More significant advances have been hampered by a lack of money for research and laws and regulations that make it difficult to test new ideas and introduce improved equipment.” Without proper funding, research will always be lagging. Marine Spill, a non-profit organization, has received 80 million dollars for equipment and for salaries. Of the 80 million dollars, zero goes to research. The success in oil spill research depends on funding. Thus, no money equals no research.

Last, the lack of devices causes problems with oil cleanup. The poor number of cleanup tools has caught the attention of many people. Kevin Costner, a famous movie star, decided to help the oil companies by designing new machines. Costner helped in the Alaskan Exxon crisis, and he currently assists in the Gulf cleanup. He has introduced numerous devices that have had great success. Costner’s help proves that there is a lack of devices being produced. Trained professionals need to solve this problem. Instead a movie star seems to be our vital source. In the article, “Kevin Costner’s oil spill cleanup idea interests BP”, Costner quotes, “We all make decisions about what we want to be a part of. I’m just one person focusing on a specific problem and throwing a little resources to do a lot of talent and man power… to come up with what is a [solution]”. Costner cares for the environment and helps protect it.

I believe that accidents cannot be avoided. Over the years the oil industry has suffered from many oil spills that have damaged the environment tremendously. Because of the unpredictable accidents, the oil industry needs to focus more on the spill cleanup. They need to be more prepared, more research needs to be done, and more devices need to be produced. Thus, when that devastating accident happens the oil companies can be ready to act fast for a more efficient and timely cleanup.