You have all seen the news reports and seen the pictures (right?). This is obviously one of the largest environmental disasters to strike the world in the 21st century. At least 12,000 barrels of oil have been entering the Gulf Coast as of April 20th.
Here are some numbers:
Originally posted by Newsweek
400
The minimum number of species threatened by the oil spill
(at least) 2,000
Number of estimated square miles of oil slick
(at least) 7,000
Square miles of federal fishing area in the Gulf that has closed because of the slick
10
Minimum number of days the federal government is restricting fishing in federal waters most affected by the BP oil spill
25 million
Number of birds that crisscross the Gulf Coast each day, and could be at risk from the oil spill
(at least) $1.6 billion
Economic activity at risk because of the oil spill
$14 billion+
Current estimated total cost of the spill
$163 billion
BP profits from 2001 to 2009
10-15
The percentage of spilled oil that is typically recovered during these disasters
This leak has already affected the coast of Florida and has a great chance of being carried by currents to further parts of the world. It has crippled Louisiana's economy and fishing industry.
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I have not looked in the Politics topic for any discussion on the topic, but even if there has been, this affects so many people and deserves it's own topic.