The Effects of the Oil Spill on the Gulf and How Christian Women Can Respond

by Mary Jean Baxley

“People are hurting from the oil spill damage. When a family’s income is gone, they are not able to financially continue to give to the churches and the community. So many families are now on the receiving end of needing help with finances and emotional stress. We will start to see families who have lived and worked in an area for generations start to move away to find work. This is a long-term event. A lot of prayers and support are needed for those here and around the nation. It will have a ripple effect,” explained William Perkins, editor of the Baptist Record, Mississippi State Baptist Convention newspaper.

April 20, 2010—the BP Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and subsequent ongoing oil spill left 11 men dead and countless others injured. One hundred fifteen survived. People who work, volunteer and live in the four states around the gulf are becoming sick daily from contamination. There are symptoms of nausea, skin problems, and respiratory problems. Economic effects are being felt in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Texas—where two of the dead men and some of the workers were from.

The dispersant used to try to contain the spill was banned in most countries, but our government gave approval for its use. As a result, over 1.26 million gallons were released into the Gulf of Mexico. PAH’s (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) cause short- and long-term health risks, and some are carcinogens.

Estimates of the spill were 1,000 barrels per day according to BP. By Day 60, new scientific evidence shows it is closer to 60,000 barrels with potential for that to climb. There is a 6-month moratorium on oil drilling. Some are saying to stop oil drilling completely, while others say America should not stop drilling and become totally dependent on foreign countries, unless alternative energy solutions are available.

Fisheries and wildlife (brown pelicans, egrets, dolphins, sperm whales, sea turtles, and seals) are becoming sick, and many are dying. One sperm whale was found dead outside the contaminated area. Scientists are studying the whale to determine if it died from the oil spill, and then drifted away. This would be an indication that the area of damage could extend far wider as infected animals leave and spread contamination and possible disease to other animals and possibly humans.

Bird nests are being destroyed at an alarming rate. Wetlands are covered in the thick oil. Wildlife estuaries are disappearing because of the damage.

The future of the seafood industry is uncertain because no one seems to have a handle on the long-term effects on the beds where oysters and shrimp were once thriving. Louisiana was the largest United States supplier of shrimp. But nearly 40 percent of the area has been closed down in the four states.

Seafood (oysters, crabs, shrimp and fish) are destroyed, and no one can say when it will be safe to reopen those areas. P&J, a 140-year-old family company that distributes oysters closed its doors and laid off its employees on June 19. This company is one of many businesses that have closed. People with jobs relating to oil, tourism, fishing, boating, and seafood and suppliers are all affected.

What are ways that we as Christian women can help during this difficult time?

One theme seems to come through from survivors and volunteers: prayer. Brent Mansfield, one of the survivors, was interviewed by CNN’s Anderson Cooper, and he told Cooper, “People saved my life and that feeling of coming home to family and knowing that all the people had been praying for me.” Anderson Cooper responded, “It’s good to have people praying for you.” That seems to sum it up, because prayer is the one thing we can all do and it means so much.

Pray for the families of the dead and injured and those affected by the economic downside. Pray for the workers trying to cap the oil spill, the crews of the 2,300 vessels of opportunity trying to protect the shore, rescue animals, and clean wetlands. Pray that we all become better stewards of what God has entrusted to us.

There are needs for qualified professionals to help rescue animals and knowledge in cleaning oil spills or damaged wetlands. There are people with depression in need of someone to listen to their grief over loss of loved ones or friends. Economic stress will be taking a toll.

Children are upset knowing that family members are out of work, and they need to express themselves. (Our own children see the oil slick animals and know of the deaths and need to be able to talk about what they see and how they feel). Chaplains, pastors, and mental health professionals are needed. Be sure you are qualified before volunteering. Continue to support the tourism of these states and don’t cancel vacations.

MOST OF ALL PRAY.

Remember the families of those who died: Jason Anderson; Aaron Dale Burkeen; Donald Clark; Stephen Curtis; Roy Wyatt Kemp; Blair Manuel; Karl Kleppinger, Jr.; Dewey Revette; Shane Roshto; Adam Weise; and last, but not least, Gordon Jones, whose son was born after his father’s death.