Does BP not recognize or even care that the entire world lives in a watershed, including CEO Tony Hayward? All life forms rely on water to nourish and take care of our basic needs. Yet water continues to be abused all over the world. Often times with little to no regard of the consequences.
One can see where priorities lie when the technology to drill has increased leaps and bounds, but yet oil companies are still using 30 year old technology to clean up spills! In fact over the last 3 years, even though BP has grossed over $58 billion dollars, they have not spent one dime what so ever on oil spill response research!!!
As BP and other sources fight to keep us all in suspense on the actual amount of oil spewing forth from below, estimates are showing that BP may be upchucking as much as 100,000 barrels a day; that's equal to the entire amount of oil that was expelled during the Exxon Valdez oil spill every 2 1/2 days!!! On top of all this the U.S. District Court Judge Martin Feldman ruled to block President Obama's six month moratorium on deep water drilling. Apparently the biggest oil spill in the history of the world is not worrisome enough to hold off on more plundering of Mother Earth's womb. Drill baby drill right.
We need desperately to get clean and give up our addiction to dirty energy practices and policies. But as Jon Stewart pointed out, our last 8 presidents have all stated this exact thought and yet here we are reliant on oil more than ever before. It's way past time to do something about our dependence on oil. We as activists must demand that our leaders create active change otherwise we'll just continue to hear the mumbling and see no action occurring.
It's easy to think that the problem is too daunting, or that there is nothing we can do to stop this atrocity. Not true! We are strong and powerful people who can create change!! The FMF Choices Campus Leadership Program is currently working on a women and climate change campaign specifically addressing the connection between women and water issues. As Feministing has reported some ingredients in oil are endocrine disruptors, one in particular, Benzene, can cause infertility! We cannot and will not stand for the continuing degradation of our water ways, our precious planet, and our health. We are feminists, and activists and we have the power to raise our voices and demand for clean water.
Take action on your campus by starting a photo campaign, where you and your fellow feminist friends photograph yourselves with signs demanding action regarding water management and send them into your representatives. Or host a screening party for the Sierra Club film "Beyond Oil". Spread the word about the BP protest and get students on your campus to sign the pledge to protest BP as well. Organize a letter campaign and use your voice! If your not in school right now and have time to volunteer check out these options as well.
We can make a difference, so lets get out and there and create the change we want!
