Part 1: Severe Weather update...
Part 2: Oil Spill...
Part 1:
Well there are now areas that I can say are surely in the clear... These areas are anywhere from NH to Hartford, to NYC, to Philly, to D.C., and anywhere to the West of there; of course not too far West, because the Midwest is working on another developing mess that we won't get into right now... Let me tell you, certain areas really dodged a large bullet... For example, NYC had very severe storms just to the north and to the south... Meanwhile, Boston had damaging winds, and rain beyond imagination, which is still going on as I type... But enough of about the severe stuff, let's get to the even more important news, the oil spill...
Part 2:
The original plan for was for this update to be on Friday, and i was going to tell you all the bad news about the oil spill. Instead, I now Have both good news, bad news, and just about every kind of news in between about this horrific man made disaster. So, on Friday I was going to show everyone the most terrifying, depressing, almost mind changing video that i have seen, and it really made me think about the mess we have got ourselves into this time, and how it really seems impossible to fix. Here's the video...:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE-1G_476nA&feature=player_embedded
If that doesn't scare you then your crazy, because the forecast calls for oil washing up all the way across the Atlantic ocean in Europe by time we reach day 200 of this oil spill, and possibly sooner.
What are the chances that the oil spill will end up on your beaches? And when will it happen? Well, Accuweather.com's meteorologist Henry Margusity takes a look at the probability of having oil wash up on your beaches...:
http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/32336/whats-the-probability-of-oil-o.asp
So now we've covered some of our bad news, but let's get to the good news and the in between news. I'll start by saying the oil cap was a success!!!! After having some trouble sawing through the pipe which the oil was leaking out of, they finally were able to place a cap over the pipe and BP says the result was very pleasing. Meanwhile, the cap is only capturing 25% of the leaking oil... So why is this? I mean there is a cap over this spill, shouldn't there be no oil leaking out at all? Well, the caps have 4 "vents" around its perimeter. Since there is so much pressure at a mile under water, the "vents" allow small amounts of water to enter the cap so that the whole thing doesn't burst and ruin the project. The next step, BP hopes, is that they slowly close the vents as the cap gets used to the pressure. Once the vents are capped they hope to capture close to 90% of the oil, but how easy is that? Well I'll tell you right now, it's not easy. And until they do it, there is still 75% of the oil from that pipe leaking. Although BP took it as a success, America sure didn't and it doesn't end there.
Both the model prediction of where the oil will go next, and Margusity's prediction of where the oil will go next, could be completely out of line when hurricane season is introduced into all of this. Right now we can't worry too much about this, because there are currently no tropical developments, but its something to watch. So to narrow everything down: BP's, "cap plan" was a complete success, but hasn't really done too much, If the oil isn't stopped soon, it may make its way around to the east coast, and eventually to Europe before not too long, and last but not least, Obama and BP are still not doing enough (at least in my opinion). But before we go, please take a good look at the following and take it into consideration:
1. Matter of Trust
As a former dog groomer who saw bags of dog hair being thrown away everyday wondering if there was ANYTHING that could be done to use it, here it is. The folks at Matter of Trust take trimmed hair from salons, pet grooming shops, even individuals, stuff it in to used nylons and use it to soak up oil. Go to your local hair salon, grooming shop, farm, or anywhere you can think of and ask if they would donate to the program. They are also looking for used nylons, even with snags, so get in to your drawers and send them off. This is a perfect way to use discarded items to make a difference.
2. Suncoast Sea Bird Sanctuary
According to their website they are the largest non-profit wild bird hospital in the United States and admits up to 8,000 birds annually. As they prepare for the effects on the Florida coastline they are in need of linens, kennels, towels, sheets, dawn detergent, paper towels, bottled water and Gatorade.You can also donate money directly to the website.
3. Audubon. Large societies like the Audubon are great resources to collect a high number of volunteers and funds in order to help the entire coastline. Their website notes that they are “currently marshaling volunteer resources, leading restoration for Louisiana coastal resources for the long term, and working for safer energy solutions”.
4.Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana Here is a website that gives information for those who are pre-veterinary students, vet technicians, and anyone with hazardous material training that would be able to volunteer. The people who show up on scene need resources for lodging, food, and supplies so if you cannot donate your time you can donate money online.
Please do not attempt to clean up oil or handle wild animals without training and proper equipment. If you see an oiled animal call 1-866-557-1401. There are many different resources for you to help so do not risk doing it without support of one of these, or any other organizations.
-Special thanks to "the mindful consumer" for the helpful tips on the oil spill help!
-Scott Pecoriello
