Oil spill disaster could see devastating effects
Everyone watches in horror and disbelief as oil fills the Gulf waters. I have heard many people say they want to cry. With more than 37 percent of the gulf now polluted and unsuitable for fishing and Governor Christ declaring a state of emergency, the feeling of helplessness and hopelessness rises.
We have seen elected officials in Louisiana go on national television wiping tears from their eyes; we have heard the stories of the lives that have been ruined. We have seen the horrifying pictures of wildlife covered in oil and seen it dripping from their mouths and eyes. We are now seeing and hearing about the long-lasting health effects of those who have been exposed to the oil as well as the dispersants.
Our way of life is in jeopardy of changing forever. BP said it may take until August to fix the leak. With a good percentage of the Gulf waters already ruined in less than 50 days of the onset of this environmental disaster, it only takes simple math to tell us that if this continues at it’s current rate for another 60 days, we will be looking the destruction of around 80 percent of the Gulf. This will mean a total crash in an already struggling Southwest Florida economy, not to mention our now pristine waters will be ruined forever. There will be no swimming, boating, fishing or beautiful calm and clean water to sit by to enjoy the sunset. At this time the only thing I can think of to do is take to the streets to show strong support for change!
There will be events held on local beaches and waterways around the world on June 26. These events are called “Hands across the Sand.” The purpose of the event is to bring people out to show strong support for no more drilling in the Gulf and other pristine places and to ask for a switch to totally clean energy within the next 20 years.
Anyone who cares about quality of life needs to be at these events. If we unite together we can make a difference. Our voices will be heard. Whether you’re a business owner, fisherman, college student, retired person, new mom, family man or average working person, what happens here and now could change your life forever.
I shudder to think about the next generation as they come up in a world with so many problems. Let’s all make a difference for our future and future generations, by joining hands across the sands of our local beaches on June 26.
Let’s show the local and world leaders that we are demanding change — change must come swiftly for our world to be sustainable.
Go to handsacrossthesand.org to see where these events are being held near you. I will be on Bonita Beach on this day by 11 a.m. We will have a blue canopy set up on the beach to mark the spot where we will meet before the event begins. I hope to see all of those on this day who will be part of the solution in asking for change in the world (those who choose to do nothing simply become part of the problem).
Anyone who is interested can also go to Facebook to sign on as a participant for the event as well. I have event set up there for the public. Let’s all come together on this day and make a difference, there is strength in numbers. If one person clapped no one would hear it, if 1,000 people clapped no one could ignore it!
Bobbie Lee Gruninger of the Calusa Group-Sierra Club is the organizer of Hands Across the Sand on June 26, at Bonita Beach.