The cataclysmic oil spill in the Gulf shows beyond a doubt that we can't drill our way out of our energy problems. Our coastal environment and economies cannot afford the risk involved.
Apart from the loss of life in the oil rig explosion, we are seeing reports of devastation in the marine and shoreline areas, with pollution acutely affecting jellyfish, turtles, birds, and fish. Clean-up and containment after the disaster is a massive undertaking of manpower and engineering, involving barriers, oil-absorbing sponges, dispersant chemicals, and a giant dome-shaped cap. In the end, what's most important is to work to prevent such a catastrophe from happening again. With concerns about regulation and the power wielded by the polluter lobby in mind, it is time to think seriously about the the way fossil fuels dominate our "energy mix."
As long as we are so reliant on foreign and domestic oil, we are vulnerable to accidents like this one crippling local fishing industry, interfering with sensitive ecosystems, and contaminating the environment for 20 years or more. What is more, we are only drilling to satisfy a growing demand for oil, which we burn inefficiently and irresponsibly in ways that contribute to global warming.
Transitioning to an efficient transportation system and a clean energy economy is a task our generation wants our leaders to take on seriously, to end dependence on foreign and domestic oil and avert dangerous climate change. I for one am taking this opportunity to call on the Senate to pass a climate bill this year that will truly decrease our oil dependence, because we can't drill our way out, and we can't wait any longer.
