Oil Spills in Some Form Thesis

(Tanner, 1)

The tanker, which ran afoul of a support girding for the Bay Bridge, released the remarkable amount of oil into an area which is highly populated by plants, animals and people, and is also incidentally ensconced on three sides by the now tainted Pacific waters. In the immediate aftermath of the event, it was clear that such areas as San Francisco had taken the brunt of this poorly administered ecological threat and that there sacrifice should be seen as a justification for such steps are attempting to gain a global standard on ship safety, guidance and insulation from rupture. The degree to which the spill was destructive and centered in a place of import or public note -- as opposed ot the Alaskan remoteness of the Exxon Valdez spill -- should help to highlight a clear need for a change. Indeed, "the oil spill in San Francisco Bay is a cause for grave concern by all who value the resources of our marvelous bay and Pacific coastline,' Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives who represents San Francisco, said in a statement." (Tanner, 1) This statement underscores an important sense of loss which must drive forward the demand for change.

The animals, wildlife and pristine waters of the Pacific have so long been sullied by this type of overuse. Today, the oil spills both small and negligible and those large and disastrous will have a devastating impact on certain species which rely on the water for food and habitat.For instance, in the case of waterborne birds, once physically exposed to oil, "as they attempt to preen, birds typically ingest oil that coats their feathers, causing kidney damage, altered liver function, and digestive tract irritation. This and the limited foraging ability quickly causes dehydration and metabolic imbalances. Most birds affected by an oil spill die unless there is human intervention." (Wikipedia, 1)

This is a stark indication that there is a need for something to be done. We cannot afford to sacrifice our environment and ecology to continue to live our collectively chosen lifestyle. It is necessary to introduce meaningful legislation that can at least limit America to a recpetiveness to ships meeting safety and environmental standards. That will mean coming to either terms of cooperation or diminishing need from oil trading partner. Of course, facing off with the oil industry is not a desirable task, with the sheer power and influence of this industry making it difficult if not impossible to oppose. However, the economic demands upon the industry are high as well, meaning that there is a sheer internal logic to improvement of standards across the boards.

Works Cited

Tanner, a. (2007). Large cleanup after San Francisco oil spill. Reuters. Online at http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN0822954120071109

Wikpedia. (2008). Oil Spill. Wikimedia, Ltd. Inc.

USEPA. (2008). Oil Spills. Emergency Management. Online at http://epa.gov/oilspillthearticle "oil spill settlement funds watershed restoration".....