5c...

I guess it could've happened to anyone. Kinda. I guess it could be called an accident. Sorta. I guess there are many people in grief after the explosion on 20 April in the Gulf of Mexico on board the oil rigger 'DEEPWATER HORIZON' killed 11 crew members. But... I DON'T CARE!! I can't believe it, but I don't.

What I do care about is the irreversible damage that has been done. That's still happening. As per National Geographic, there are approximately 210,000 gallons (that's nearly 800,000 liters) of oil pouring out into the ocean on a daily basis. Each and every day since 20 April. Can you even begin to imagine? One website has a running calculator, showing that over 81.8 million gallons (nearly 310 million liters!) of oil has spewed into the sea to date. The spill covers more than 4,000 miles (approx 6,500km) and threatens to ruin many fragile ecosystems - it's nothing short of disgusting.

I realise it's expensive and that there's a lot to sort out, but something drastic has to be done. And fast. I know that President Obama is fully behind clean up operations, as too is David Cameron, the British president. We all know that BP has a responsibility to cap the leak, at their own expense, I just don't believe that this is being done quickly enough.

While the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico doesn't directly affect us in South Africa, we have previously been affected by spills of our own and are fully aware of the devastation that can be caused to the coast and marine life. Since I am far away and there is little I can do to help, I have decided to avoid the convenient BP station in our road, until this mess has been sorted out.

What will you do??

Sue X