As the world increasingly faces the repercussions of climate change, there are a few ways we can mitigate their effects on our lives. One of the best things that we can do is to grow awareness of oil spills.
Today, there are numerous technical tools available to clean up the oil leaks. These are environment friendly too. But, at the same time, we all should be committed to building a world with zero leaks, collectively pushing for a better future.
What damages can the oil spills cause?
Everything that comes in the way of an oil spill is terribly impacted by it. Some of us may have seen videos of seabirds, whales, and other marine creatures coated with black tar. But these damages are beyond our comprehension. This is what an oil spill can do to birds.
- The oil from an oil spill will get under a bird’s feathers and take away its ability to fly. As a result, many birds are unable to find adequate shelter, food and end up in a condition that is agonizing and sometimes lethal.
- Similarly, it is also understood that oil can clog the blowholes of aquatic mammals and dolphins. When this occurs, via echolocation methods, it affects their capacity to breathe and even communicate with each other.
- After coming in contact with the oil from an oil spill, mammals living around water could also be fatally impacted. The oil can get under their insulated coats, limiting their ability to survive the cold weather.
- These effects are not limited to specific animals that come into contact with oil. Many oil spills can totally destroy the surrounding ecosystem, whilst also impacting other natural cycles such as patterns of movement and reproductive abilities.
Financial consequences of an oil spill
You will be amazed to know how oil spills can burn up loads of your cash too. History has shown us such dangerous instances such as:
- The damage caused by the Exxon Valdez oil spill: $7 billion.
- Cleanup cost: $3.8 billion.
- Punitive damages: $507 million
- Livelihood loss (32,000 commercial fishing professionals): $300 million
So, is there a solution?
Of course there is! The technology for oil spill cleanups has come very far, but it’s harmful consequences still last for a very long time. There are many state-of-the-art filtration products available in the market today, but it is always advisable that you take prior action to prevent oil spills. As we would all agree, prevention is better than cure.
Prevention of oil spills
Here’s how oil spills can be prevented. These are few tactical tips that will enable you to achieve what you are looking for.
- Through the use of generators, bolts can shake loose. To stop oil leakage, secure the bolts on the motor.
- Replace the worn-out hydraulic lines and fittings which are unable to function. Lines can rust out from exposure to sun and heat or abrasion.
- Install a tray or pan which can drip oil in your car. You may not need something fancy or expensive; a baking sheet or paint tray will do the trick.
- To stop oily water leakage, filtration products available in the market can be of great help.
Let’s clean this mess together
Oil leaks occur nearly every day, but only the biggest oil spills make it to the newspapers. Reportedly, there are about 22 oil spills per day in Canada and the USA alone. The troubling thing is that it’s just the number of oil leaks in navigable waterways. On land and freshwater, there are multiple spills occurring everywhere around us. It’s high time that we act now if we want to preserve our planet and all its life forms, including humans.