Oil Spill Effects Exaggerated? -HBlack

ENVIROMENTALISTS EXAGGERATED OIL SPILL EFFECTS
OIL SPILL EFFECTS EXAGGERATED?
By: Hali Black
Word Count: 468

Everyone, including BP Representative Tony Hayward, has described the Deepwater Horizon oil spill as an “environmental catastrophe”, according to TIME magazine. Only one voice stands out against the mass of grievers, anti-environmentalist Rush Limbaugh. Limbaugh argues that the effects of “the leak” are being wildly exaggerated and maintains that the environment has been mostly unaffected.

The incident began on April 20, 2010 after a Deepwater Horizon rig explosion. The New York Times reports that crude oil began spilling into the ocean at an alarming rate of about 62,000 barrels per day. Finally coming to a halt on September 19, the relief process was completed. Though no oil has escaped since, the estimated 206 gallons of oil that has flowed into the ocean over the last three months must be taken into account.

So, what constitutes an environmental catastrophe? Scientists are now conducting specimen and water tests in order to measure the area affected and calculate the magnitude of the spill. Most scientists and environmentalists agree that this has been the largest accidental marine oil spill in history. Also, the L.A. Times reports that the federal government maintains that about 110 miles of shoreline are or have been experiencing “moderate to heavy oil impacts.” Limbaugh disagrees.

Most Alabama shoreline residents, when asked if they agreed with Limbaugh’s opinion of the oil spill, were shocked and outraged. “You’ve gotta be kidding me,” said local shrimper and business owner, Billy Cook. After a summer long ban, Alabama waters have only recently re-opened for fishing. This layoff along with a diminished demand due to scared tourists has caused local fishermen to suffer. “There has hardly even been a season,” Cook said.

Other Alabama shoreline locals have also suffered the consequences of the oil spill. Restaurants and hotels continue to remain empty despite it being the peak season for tourism. Business owners have shops full of merchandise sitting on shelves gathering dust. “We’ve had to lay off most of our summer help,” said the manager of Surf Style, a store often frequented by tourists, specializing in swimwear, beach gear and souvenirs in Gulf Shores, AL. With less and less vacationers coming to the area, and even fewer daring to venture onto the beaches, there’s no market for beach gear.
Local residents freely expressed their opinions on the effects of the oil spill. Once again, their opinions differed from Limbaugh’s views. Judy Tucker, local resident and retiree of Orange Beach, AL, said that the effects of the oil spill were “devastating”. When asked if she thought the media had over dramatized the spill, Mrs. Tucker said, “No, it [the spill] is as bad if not worse than they [the media] says it is.” She also said that she thinks the media has “lost interest” in the spill, even though the cleanup is still ongoing.

Hali Black is a student at UNA majoring in English.