Why It Matters

The BP Oil Leak

I would be lying if I said I watch this all day, but I think it says a lot that we are able to tune in, day and night, to watch something that is so horrendous. It isn't a train wreck or plane crash that can be cleaned up and read about later. This spill, which isn't even a spill, it's just an ongoing fountain, has been going on for nearly 3 months. BP has been ordered to make the live feed available, and since then, the truth of this disaster has become glaringly clear. We are, as a society, far too dependent on oil.

I own a car, and my stove runs on gas (it is the better way to cook, I think), but it makes me wonder: How often do we drive when we could bike or walk? Do we carpool enough? Why do we agree to pay ever-increasing amounts to fill our tanks?

So right now--yeah, this very moment--I'm going to start paying more attention to those details. I may not be perfect, and I may still use my fair share of this resource, but I will also work harder and act more aggressively to share that resource and limit my use when possible.

HOWEVER!
I ask those boycotting BP to understand that the businesses selling BP gasoline are mostly locally owned. Looking for better deals and making sure that we contact BP and our representatives to voice our discontent is important. Just make sure you don't take support from the local business owners who help our economy. Encourage these owners to make a switch to a different company if they can, but don't actively punish them for a disaster they had no control over. Consumers have to take action to make changes, but we also need to be informed consumers and understand what effects our actions may have.