Crude Oil Pollution

The pollution of the Gulf of Mexico by crude oil, of course, has many undesirable consequences. But, oil mining companies are not the only "villains of the pollution piece". The tourism industry cannot be immune from criticism: how many miles of pristine coastline have been ruined by hotel complexes? How many mountain environments have been ruined by ski resorts and pistes? All this development has been made possible by the provision of cheap fossil fuels and most western people , including myself, have used these tourist developments.

All mining operations carry some risk and it is impossible to drill for oil without there being some leaks and damaging spillages. There is only one way for the tourism and fishing industries etc. to be protected from the damaging effects of crude oil and that is for all of us to stop burning the stuff. At the moment, of course, this is not possible as it would result in the collapse of more than than fishing or tourism; our whole way of life depends on cheap oil. We all have to accept that the benefits of the good life incur many costs as well. We are all responsible; capitalists, green protesters and all, for the crude oil pollution which is blighting many areas of the world, so don't just blame the oil men.