I have wonderful memories, dating all the way back to my early boyhood, of driving to the Texas Gulf Coast for family vacations. Because we lived inland, on the northern edge of what’s called the Texas “Hill Country,” we had to drive for several hours before we’d arrive at our preferred locale, a small town called Rockport. We’d then spend a week or so walking on the beach and collecting sea shells, swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, crabbing and giving away our catch to more serious fishermen, feeding bread crumbs to the sea gulls, going out to eat at seafood restaurants, and just having a whale of a good time.
Today, as a middle-aged adult, I’d have to say that my love of large bodies of water probably began during those holiday trips. I just get this wonderfully expansive feeling when I travel to oceans and seas at this time in my life. It’s exhilarating to stand at the water’s edge and look out across at what appears to be an infinite blue horizon. Because I’ve traveled so much in recent years, I’ve had the opportunity to see many of the world’s great bodies of water, including the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara, and the Red Sea. All are magnificent.
As you can probably guess, I am horrified by what’s happening in the Gulf of Mexico, at the Deep Horizon oil blowout. I won’t use the word “spill” to describe what’s taking place. A spill sounds so mild and controllable. All a spill requires is to be wiped up. What’s happening a mile below the surface is more like an oil “volcano.” How does one stop a volcano and clean up after it’s done spewing?
I’ve included a twelve-minute interview, conducted by Democracy Now!’s Juan Gonzalez and Amy Goodman, with Dr. Carl Safina, renowned ecologist and founder of the Blue Ocean Institute. This video provides a nice overview of the part the gulf plays in the larger ecosystem.
In recent days I’ve been prompted to read up on the current health of the world’s oceans and seas. If, like me, you’re interested in finding out more and what can be done to help, I suggest you have a look at this site.
Tags: World Events
