Gulf Oil Spill is a Small Part of a Global Problem

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has been devastating. 5,000 or more barrels of oil a day are leaking into ocean waters and could reach an estimated 60,000 barrels if the right steps are not taken.  It has had catastrophic effects on local wildlife and the livelihoods of thousand of local residents.

Many people are understandably calling for a permanent ban on offshore oil drilling in the US. However, it is important to understand that this should be a wake up call to slow our use of oil overall, not to just stop drilling in the US. Any drilling that is not done here, in the US, will be done elsewhere if there is still demand for oil. Often, this drilling is done in areas with far less environmental regulations.

Nigeria, as an example, provides 2.28 million barrels of oil a day to the global supply. The country has had massive oil spills in the size range of Exxon Valdez every year since the 1960's. Some estimates put the amount of oil spilled in Nigeria since 1960 at over 100 million barrels.

The global estimated total average amount of oil seeping into the ocean's waters is over 9 million gallons, absent any major spills. There is very little reporting done on these spills, though they clearly happen on a regular basis.

The point is that it is not just about banning drilling in America, it is about reducing the demand for oil overall. We need to slow the use of petroleum to power our homes, to drive our cars and we need to stop buying products, such as most plastics, that are petroleum based. This risks are to great and there are many alternatives. 

We will only have so many chances before the damage done by these kinds of accidents cannot be taken back.