# Pipelines and Their Environmental Threats: A Call for Action
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Chapter 1: The Inherent Risks of Oil Pipelines
It’s a well-known fact that constructing an oil pipeline without leaks seems almost impossible. Based on available data, every pipeline has leaked at least once. Each year, millions of barrels of oil seep into the earth, contaminating groundwater and oceans alike. While we inflict significant damage during the extraction and refining processes, it’s shocking to consider the vast amounts wasted during transportation.
For instance, since November 16, over a million gallons of crude oil have spilled into the Gulf of Mexico from a single pipeline leak. Although the pipeline has been halted, the source of the leak remains unidentified, and cleanup crews are struggling to ascertain the extent of the damage. Officials claim there have been no reported negative effects on the local community or wildlife, but this assurance is questionable.
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Section 1.1: The Long-Term Effects of Oil Spills
Being told that there have been no immediate reports of illness from a recent spill is hardly comforting. Many of the adverse effects of crude oil leaks can take years to manifest. The immediate aftermath is devastating; thick globs of oil cover miles of ocean, endangering marine life. Without prompt assistance, many animals die from suffocation or drowning.
Beaches are often closed due to oil spills, and rightfully so. Who would want to surf in polluted waters? However, the visual impact of a spill is not the primary concern. Do you realize how toxic crude oil is? Long-term exposure can have dire consequences.
In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon spill released approximately 134 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, marking one of the largest environmental catastrophes in history. The leak persisted for 87 days, and the cleanup process was arduous. I recall seeing news reports during that time; even as a teenager, I found it alarming to witness such a struggle for containment.
Crude oil is a concoction of many hazardous chemicals. Cleanup workers were directly exposed to these toxins, leading to ongoing health issues. Seven years post-disaster, many of these workers reported severe respiratory and cardiovascular problems, as well as skin rashes and blood disorders. Some symptoms were immediate, while others took years to emerge.
Forgive my skepticism regarding corporate assurances of safety.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Ongoing Health Crisis for Cleanup Workers
Thirteen years later, individuals who participated in the Deepwater Horizon cleanup are still grappling with serious health issues, including cancer, likely linked to their exposure to crude oil. Like many disasters, this cleanup saw local residents, often struggling with poverty, rushing to assist in protecting their homes. They were assured it was safe, only to later discover they had been misled.
According to a lawsuit against BP, the company allegedly failed to inform workers about the potential health risks and did not adequately monitor them for signs of toxicity. Even the dispersant used, Corexit, was found to cause illness among those who handled it. Managing an oil spill can itself become a disaster if a major corporation prioritizes profit over safety.
Given the high fatality rates in the Oil and Gas Extraction industry, I lack confidence in their commitment to worker safety. The number of workplace accidents and fatalities is likely underreported.
Section 1.2: The Need for Better Regulation and Accountability
I've stated before that as long as corporate profits outweigh legal fees, companies will continue to cut corners. To those in corporate offices, human lives are merely figures on a balance sheet. They are not the ones exposed to the dangers.
How serious is the current leak? The truth is, we don't know. The estimated 1.1 million gallons released is based on data from the pipeline's pressure gauge; the actual amount may be more or less. Numerous factors complicate the situation, and we won’t fully understand the impact until the leak's source is identified and sealed.
In the meantime, we are witnessing yet another environmental disaster unfold. We face the grim reality of toxic chemicals entering our oceans repeatedly, year after year. When we extract oil, we inevitably spill oil. This is not just a cliché; it’s a fundamental truth. As long as fossil fuels remain our primary energy source, such spills will continue to occur.
The dangers of climate change are significant, but we must also acknowledge the lethal doses of toxic substances being dumped into our water supply, which is entirely unnecessary. We can and must take action to stop this.
As long as profits exceed the costs of legal repercussions, OGE corporations will perpetuate these practices, prioritizing oil over community health. We must advocate for stricter regulations and consequences for their actions, including potential jail time for those responsible. A mere slap on the wrist is no longer acceptable.
Solidarity is vital in this fight.
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Chapter 2: The Ongoing Environmental Catastrophe
In the first video titled "Ep 296: Ones Ready Fixes the Pipeline," the discussion centers on the urgent need for better infrastructure and maintenance in pipeline systems, emphasizing the potential hazards posed by neglect and poor practices.
The second video, "Is Pipeline the Most DANGEROUS Wave in the WORLD?" explores the broader implications of pipeline leaks on ecosystems and communities, underscoring the necessity for change in our approach to fossil fuels and energy consumption.