Gulf Update: 100 Days
Yesterday marked day 100 of the BP oil spill disaster, a crisis that has changed the lives of hundreds of thousands along the Gulf coast, and changed the way our nation looks at energy and the environment. While recent news about the capping of the gusher and scheduled completion of the relief wells brings hope, the last 100 days have been full of turmoil, anxiety, and pain for our friends and neighbors in the Gulf who have lost livelihoods and - for the families and friends of the 11 rig workers killed on April 20 - lost loved ones. With 100-200 million gallons of oil dumped into the Gulf and as much as half of that still uncontained, a daunting clean up task remains. Though the news of oil dispersing faster than expected is encouraging, it will take weeks and months to determine what remains beneath the surface, how serious storm effects will be, and when it will again be safe to fish and swim along the Gulf shores. The effects on the Gulf ecosystem and economy will continue to play out for years, as will the growing controversy over the safe disposal
As Thad Allen, head of the response team, explains, ""While we would all like to see the area come back as quickly as it can. I think we all need to understand that we, at least in the history of this country, we've never put this much oil into the water. And we need to take this very seriously."
Though local communities - like oystermen and workers in the hospitality industry - continue to struggle against oil spill effects, we hope the next 100 days will bring much better news than the last 100. As we move in the next 100 days from clean up to recovery and restoration, the faith community will continue to work with our friends and partners in the Gulf to ensure an effective and comprehensive response by government, industry, and the non-profit sector. Now is a time to stand in solidarity with the affected communities, help provide the resources needed for response and recovery, and work to strengthen the emotional and spiritual safety net. One local priest explains the need for pastoral care in response to the spill, "People are constantly in fear. They like to work, not to rely on a business for help. They were able to go out on the Gulf whenever they wanted to feed their families. They were living a worry-free life, knowing that the Gulf would provide."
This worry free life has been turned upside down in the last 100 days, but there is much to do to put the Gulf back on track to a healthy and sustainable future. And that is why we'll continue to push decision makers in Washington to ensure that such a disaster never happens again, through an adequate policy response that takes on the dangerous oil industry and provides the resources needed to truly restore the Gulf. We hope you will join us in solidarity with our friends and neighbors in the Gulf through both prayer and action, and continue to follow the Gulf oil spill disaster with us for the next 100 days - or as long as it takes.