The BP oil spill crisis in the Gulf of Mexico is stunning. Not only because of the extent of the damage, but due to the question "How did we let this happen?" To see the Gulf revisited with another tragedy so soon after Hurricane Katrina is heartbreaking. Drilling a mile deep may have once been lauded as brilliant; now the world is watching our arrogance take a toll on Louisiana's fragile wetlands. Apart from the obvious sealing of the leak, two issues need to be resolved: there must be justice for the injured parties and we must make sure this does not happen again.

In 2008, a report concluded that pollution from Texaco Petroleum (Texaco's Ecuadoran affiliate) has led to 1,401 deaths from cancer. A lawsuit filed in Ecuador alleges that Texaco deliberately disposed of 18 billion gallons of toxic oil production waste in unlined pits. Chevron (Texaco's current owner) has still not addressed its crimes in Ecuador. Exxon said they would be fully accountable for the effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. That never happened. BP has been convicted for environmental crimes 3 times in 10 years. They are now responsible for the largest oil spill in U.S. history. This same company has been described as having a "corporate attitude of noncompliance." BP has paid little attention to human life, the environment, or economy of coastal Louisiana. They need to be held accountable for every life lost in the accident, all environmental damage caused by this spill, and their destruction of livelihoods of Louisiana residents. That is justice and as a nation, we have a responsibility to hold BP to nothing less.

Likewise, we have a duty to come away from this tragedy smarter and more diligent. America uses 25% of the world's oil, yet we only have 3% of the reserves. This shows absurd national policy, and I'm sorry, but this policy will not be solved if you bike to work or buy a Prius. There needs to be legislative action taken in this country. I do think it is very important that we are environmentally responsible and genuine in our personal lives, but given the extent of the greater environmental crisis we are facing, our country needs change at a national level. And just like we can buy 'green' products or minimize our CO2 footprint, we can affect this process. Contact your local, state, and national representatives.

A Gallup poll found that only 17% of their sample of Americans belong to an activist group or contacted an official about a green issue. And if we don't speak up in our government, we know who will. A report by the Department of the Interior Inspector General found that staffers of the Lake Charles, Louisiana Materials Management Services district office accepted sport event tickets, lunches, and other gifts offered by gas and oil production companies. The BP Oil Spill Response Plan Gulf of Mexico is studded with patently inaccurate and inapplicable information but was nonetheless approved by the federal government. Industry lobbyists have no shortage of money or motivation to guide the American government and nation in a "profitable" direction. The only thing public officials may care more about than money is getting re-elected. That is why we have power and responsibility to have an impact on our nation. We can use our voice to demand the change America needs. I challenge you to consider contacting a politician who represents you as being equally important as choosing to buy organic food or all-natural cleaning products.

If you are a West Coast resident and looking for a place to start, look no further than S 3358/HR 5213 which seek to permanently ban offshore drilling on the outer Continental Shelf off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. Contact Congress, and be a voice for the justice you desire. Move away from being a passive dreamer; become an active force in your country. Don't just hope for change, demand it.
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