Does the BP Oil Spill have a Silver Lining?

HOUSTON, TX--I am an optimist . . . truly. I can see silver linings in just about anything. Granted, there have been a few times in my life that I had to look really hard to find them. Believe it or not the recent oil spill in the Gulf was not one of those times. I saw that silver lining right off the bat. This is just another in a series of universal wake up calls, and this one seems to be having more of an effect than some of the others, or perhaps the cumulative effects are working.

     The economy, coupled with the oil spill, seems to be opening some awareness portals for people who have been coasting through life here on planet Earth.

HEEEL-LLLOOO!” It’s time for us all—yours truly included—to wake up and take off the blinders about the energy situation we have gotten ourselves into.

Analogies are often the best way to get a point across so I’ve got one for you. We have become Vampires. No wonder we have such a fascination with the concept of bloodsucking creatures—we’ve transformed into a species of them. We suck the “blood” out of Mother Earth without conscious or so much as a thank you. Over time we have seemingly become convinced that this is our God given right. It is not. Not only is it not our right we have now created a situation where it must become our responsibility to find alternative energy sources before we use up our host completely. She is already hemorrhaging and yet we feel entitled to extract more—always more from her.

Please do not misunderstand me—I am not on my soapbox against the oil companies. It is not completely their fault. We have created this monster together and we must work together to move in a different direction. If you really look you will notice that there are very few “oil companies” left because they have been replaced by energy companies. That is a step in the right direction at least. But we must do more. And, quickly.

For some time now I have been asking people what replaces the oil that is taken out of the ground. I have heard two answers consistently: nothing and salt water. Now I don’t know the real answer but of these two choices neither sounds good. If we aren’t replacing the displaced oil with anything, huge empty caverns could change the balance of the Earth as it sits precariously on its axis. That by itself is pretty scary. Replacing a lubricant such as oil with an abrasive like salt water doesn’t sound very wise either. Not to mention the effect on our water tables from the mechanism of salt water extrusion (process of forcing oil from the ground). People in West Texas tell me they can’t even bathe in their local water, much less drink it.

In the meantime, what can we, as individuals, do? First, take a good hard look at ways you can cut back on your personal consumption of petroleum products. Can you cut back on driving 10%? Can you take mass transit? Can you car pool? Can you walk or ride a bike instead of drive somewhere? Let’s get creative and form support groups or whatever we have to do to make this happen.

Here’s another thought: every time you fill up your car just say, “Thanks Mom!” and at least work some gratitude into the deal. Even if you think that is silly, what can it hurt? Gratitude is positive energy and the Earth responds to all energies, positive and negative.

Do what you can as every little bit helps the bottom line. I have been driving hybrid cars for many years now because I have always thought it was the right thing to do. For years people laughed and teased me, but I have seldom wavered in my conviction. Not many folks are laughing now when I tell them my Honda Insight just got an average of 42 miles per gallon on a road trip. And as more and more people begin buying ecologically sound cars, the demand will produce more varieties with better gas mileage.

So there is your silver lining—more and more people are paying attention. That’s a great start. I just hope we are not too late.

Thank you Mother Earth for all you provide. Help me to become wiser, more compassionate, more in tune with you, your plants, your animals and my fellow Global Citizens. 

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To comment on this article, please email Peggy Sue Skipper