The slow death of an ocean - a sad and sorry saga
The sorry saga of this spill has been going since 21 August 2009
In the first few weeks, out of sight an out of mind, the industry and Government were content to suggest the impact would be minimal. But as weather patterns changed, the spill continued to grow, new information came to light and independent surveys by civil society (thank you WWF!) were launched their position has weakened and gradually the reality is dawning that this is a big problem with long-lasting and serious impacts.
Media in Australia report today that “The operator of the crippled West Atlas oil rig has convened a war cabinet with its competitors and a famed Texan oil well firefighting firm to find a way of plugging the leak and solve the industry's public relations disaster.” (The West Australian, 27 October 2009)
Perhaps the ‘Teflon’ coating that has protected this industry for so very long may finally be falling away.
Meanwhile, we really need the public’s help from around the world to pressure the Australian Government to:
1. immediately freeze all new oil and gas explorations applications;
2. develop much stronger conditions over all oil and gas rig and shipping activities; and
3. identify and fully protect all cetacean critical habitats in a network of marine sanctuaries
Please send the Government a message, that the world is watching how Australia handles this disaster.
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