Damage of the Ecosystems: Bp Oil Spill

           As I said in my last blog, I am going to write a little bit more in depth on the effects and damage specifically on the ecosystems caused by the BP oil spill. The consequences the wildlife are facing due to this spill are evident. There are countless animals being effected by the spill, many of which are loosing their lives. The Gulf used to serve as a home to a vast amount of sea animals, as well as a feeding and watering location for many birds, turtles and other animals, but now it has now become a place a torture, tragedy and death. Dead fish wash us on shore frequently, and boaters pull in nets full of dead fish since the spill. The sea gulls and pelicans fight for their lives while saturated in oil, some so much that they are unable to eat, drink, or even open their eyes. Although many people are working to remove the oil from these birds, many will not survive the stress of being scrubbed again and again and their little hearts will give out. Sea turtles, many of which were on the endangered species list before the oil spill, are facing struggles from the oil as well. Oil exposure to these turtles can cause chemical burns, respiratory damage, brain damage and often death. Although there is not a number to be told of exactly how many animal lives were lost, we know it is significant. Some believe that charges for animal cruelty should be brought upon the responsible party of the spill. Although the animal deaths are a direct result of the oil spill, animal cruelty is defined as the infliction of suffering or harm upon animals, and although these animal are suffering, the oil spill was an accident. As of right now no animal cruelty charges have been considered by officials. Many organizations stay dedicated to the clean up of the oil spill, and help the animals fight for their lives.

The Evolution of Environmentalism: Is Economics a Driving Force?

           April 20^th 2010 BP’s oil rig exploded and since then, the oil spill has been the direct result of death and devastation all over the gulf coast. The white house has called this one of the worst environmental disasters that the United States has ever faced. Spilling out possibly 5,000 barrels oil a day into the ocean. With the oil rig capped, BP has been putting their efforts toward restoring the gulf coast. They have announced a 500 million dollar commitment over a 10 year period to create the GRI, which is a research program that will investigate the impacts of the oil spill on the ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico and affected surrounding areas. That is only one of the many ways that BP has promised to help restore the Gulf Coast. So will these financially commitment affect their business? BP has already declared plans to sell up to 30 million dollars in assets and create a smaller business. On BP’s official website, there are statistics and charts to inform the public where they are placing their funds to help the cleanup. It states that 8 billion dollars has been spent in claims and payments, over 22,000 people deployed for cleanup, and over 1,000 vessels and 25 aircrafts mobilized to work in the Gulf Coast cleanup. Not only has BP financially suffered, but there are hundreds of local businesses affected by this disaster as well. Unemployment has significantly increased along the Gulf coast since the explosion. This disaster has effected many businesses, people, and wildlife(which will be discussed in a later blog) and even with all of BP’s efforts there is still a drastic amount of work still to be done.

The Evolution of Environmentalism: Is Economics a Driving Force?

             Environmentalism is becoming a widespread movement all over the United States. Many people are taking a part in becoming eco friendly for example, college universities are making changes to waste less energy and be more efficient, big name brand companies such as Clorox are creating eco friendly products in their new Green Works line, and MSNBC has created the Going Green special report that includes the latest news about environmental technology. What is the driving force of this evolution? Some would say that environmentalism has become a trend. With new clothing and apparel designs promoting being and becoming green, it is easy to see that point of view, but ultimately I believe that economics is the driving force for environmentalism. Eco friendly projects are being pursued that will provide cheaper a cost of living, production and consumption. Things like geothermal energy, ethanol alternative, and wind energy are just a few examples of eco friendly alternatives that could financially benefit all of us in the future. Although the environmentalism movement is not at its peak, these new ways of life and production are becoming increasingly popular, and the alternatives may soon take the role as the sole source.

Nellie Bly: An Influential Journalist

“What a mysterious thing madness is. I have watched patients whose lips are forever sealed in a perpetual silence. They live, breathe, eat; the human form is there, but that something, which the body can live without, but which cannot exist without the body, was missing.”


Nellie Bly is one of the first, well known women journalists of our time. This quote comes from her most famous investigative report, where Bly studied the Blackwell’s Island mental institution from within the walls of the asylum. This quote, to me, shows the depth of what Bly endured for the sake of journalism. I think she is very influential not only for the information she has provided but as well as the fact that she was one of the first women journalists to break out and try something unexpected. She is an inspiration to me as I enter the world of journalism as a young women, and I will strive to be as true to my work as she was.