Five Years Since the BP Gulf Oil Spill

A BP spokesperson says that by now, the stuff that washes up is probably safe and they just don't think the spill is what made the oyster yield go away, but I have my suspicions that they might be putting a spin on things. At four years out, several species were determined to be seriously impacted by the spill. The region hasn't really recovered.

I can't help comparing it to the Exxon Valdez spill. The area stayed a mess and the health of the people who were involved in the cleanup suffered over the long term. I worry what will be facing people exposed to the oil and the chemicals like Corexit in the future. And I don't really trust the industry to do all they should to make sure disasters like this don't happen again, not just because of the damage to the environment and the impact of the cleanup, but because of the safety of workers like those who lost their lives when the rig blew.

Five years later, the events still make me sad and angry.