ECOLOGICAL TRAGEDY IN THE GULF OF MEXICO

RELEASE OF OIL IN GULF OF MEXICO
COULD EXCEED 40,000 BARRELS A DAY

U.S. (AFP) – Oil industry's experts from the oil industry have warned the U.S. Congress that the oil spill in the sea could exceed 40,000 barrels (6.4 million liters) per day. This would be the biggest spill in history in the Gulf of Mexico, causing widespread damage to hundreds of species such as bluefin tuna, sea turtles, six types of whales, birds, among others. The environmental impact will threaten ecosystems and a variety of endangered species. That's the conclusion of an analysis made by Greenpeace and other organizations after the spill occurred last April 22 off the coast of Louisiana, USA. The bluefin tuna in the critical state of conservation is in full breeding season. In addition, four species of sea turtles are about to begin their spawning season. Also at risk are marine mammals such as dolphins, manatees and river otters.

In addition to the species that inhabit the sea, many birds may be at risk, as well as many important areas for birds, such as nesting sites for several species, including the pelican, who only last year managed to overcome the danger extinction. At the same time, Greenpeace explained that the region has an important wetland area provide habitat for three-quarters of all water birds that migrate via the U.S. These include the brown pelican, Louisiana's flagship bird. The Gulf of Mexico is no stranger to spills. After hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, several oil platforms were damaged or sank. In 2007, winds of 130 km per hour and waves up to eight meters, made the Usumacinta drilling platform struck the Kab-101 well, several people died and 3,500 barrels of oil were released into the sea.

Again another ecological disaster caused by the unbridled ambition of large companies, who in their search for lucrative profits do not hesitate to endanger the environment of the oceans and the lives of many animals, plants, and ultimately the entire mankind.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Most environmental problems have arisen from the materialism and consumerism that has accompanied the decline of spirituality and its inherent self-restraint. Therefore the following quote of Alan Durning of the “World Watch Institute” represents what many scientists consider to be the only hope for saving the environment, “In a fragile biosphere, the ultimate fate of humanity may depend on whether we can cultivate a deeper sense of self-restraint, founded on a widespread ethic of limiting consumption and finding non-material enrichment.” And all the known forms of non-material enrichment “prayer, meditation, yoga and chanting of holy names” clearly point to a spiritual dimension to life.

Caitanya Caran das (BE E&TC) :
“When Science Points To Spirituality”
“The Spiritual Scientist” - Vol. 3 Issue 1.
Bhaktivedanta Academy for Culture and Education (BACE), Pune
http://thespiritualscientist.com/