Re: “Separating oil from manure,” Tom Fletcher, The Leader, Sept. 4.
In regards to Fletcher’s attempt to “address some of the main misconceptions,” I found his information to appear to be very convincing.
However, I am certain there is an equally convincing rebuttal to his list of “facts” and information.
Regardless of the purported misconceptions around oil pollution, downplaying an oil spill as minor in comparison to other forms of marine pollution is akin to choosing a stab wound over a gunshot wound.
Personally I would prefer neither, and I consider both unacceptable.
It would be a very sad day for us all to have to experience the consequences of an oil spill on our beautiful coast in our beautiful waters.
The industry/oil companies are never held completely accountable and would fight with all their money/power to avoid as much responsibility and cost and unfortunately the laws are filled with loopholes and varying degrees of interpretation which seem to favor the industry. This leaves you and I to deal with the brunt of the consequences should a spill ever occur.
Anyone following the ongoing saga of the Gulf Coast oil spill with all of its lawsuits and denials of responsibility, damage to the fishing industry, ongoing clean-up of beaches, chemical exposure/damage to health from the toxic chemicals dispersants, etc., would be well aware that even if there is an emergency clean-up plan/promise on paper, in the end it amounts to very little.
On another note, as much as I hold the corporations in contempt, I do also admit my own personal contribution. I drive a car so I do realize that I am also a big part of the problem.
As the saying goes we need to vote with our dollars and actions as every dollar we spend and every action we take is a vote for what we believe in.
We all need to be more conscious of the connection between our purchases and consumption and its source to realize that we are either contributing to the problem or supporting the solution in everything we do or buy.
Marilena Broglio, Surrey