Not another entry on BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico

Any environmental blog nowadays would have at least an entry on the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. This is not another entry on BP oil spill. This would not put blame on the BP oil company, nor the government's slow response. This would not provide excuses for our insatiable want of oil at the expense of our lifestyles, profits, and ultimately, our environment.

This would drag us into the spill. What does it have to do something with us? No matter how far we live from the gulf, no matter how unaffected we may seem, this would argue that the spill has something to do with us.

After gushing hundreds of millions of gallons of oil in the gulf, the spill exposed the unpreparedness of giant oil companies to tackle such a tremendous disaster. Worse, it even made the most powerful and technologically advanced country in the world vulnerable and hysterically inadequate to deal with such disaster.

Do we really need those hundreds of millions of gallons of oil? Apparently, not.

Then, why exploration of oil deposits and building of oil rigs continue? If we missed to use those wasted and leaked oil, would our lives be different today?

One of the major sources of our energy is oil. Undoubtedly, we need it, for now. Thus, as long as we need it, explorations and development of oil rigs will continue. The potential of having another disaster of this scale will be ever-present.

If we want to avoid similar catastrophe, then we have to cut that need.

Demand from our governments to supply our energy needs from renewable sources. Ask our governments to reduce dependence from fossil fuels (e.g. coal and oil) which contribute so much to pollution and global warming.

Now, what does it have to do with us?

As an individual, cut oil and energy consumption. Resist that temptation to have more. Be more. Turn off everything if unused. Walk that extra mile or bike. Live a simple and happy life.

As a citizen, oppose new fossil fuel projects in your area/country. Get involved in environmental activities. Go out and appreciate the natural beauty of environment.

Do it alone. Do it with someone. Do it with a group.

These activities may not stop giant oil companies and governments to explore and develop oil rigs, but they will feel our sentiments in their revenues and ballots. We will reduce our need for fossil fuels, thus reducing their new projects. We will vote for candidates with an energy plan and priority for renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and biomass.

Yes we will. Seeing the massive effects of the oil spill in biodiversity, peoples' lives, and local economy, we have to believe that we can. No more of this man-made catastrophe, in our lifetime.