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| US NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) projection map of BP oil spill trajectory. At this point in time, cleanup and containment are the only options the US government has. Mayor Hagedorn's vision takes into account cautionary tales like this |
The recent oil spill in the gulf of Mexico is a cautionary tale. As we worriedly watch aerial photos, we imagine places closer to us, in the same scenario. The oil well off the coast of Louisiana exploded a week ago [see NY Times article]. Today reports of 5,000 barrels a day leak and an oil slick thousands of square miles drifting towards the Mississippi river delta and Louisiana coast. This could turn out to be the biggest environmental disaster in US history. The message to places which are considering development of natural resources is clear: be careful!
Mayor Edward Hadgedorn is follwing in Al Gore's environmental awarness footsteps. Following Al Gore is not an easy path [official Gore site]. Al Gore himslef did not choose an easy path. After suffering one of the most contentious and embarrasing presidential ellection loss, Gore could have chosen the quiet life of a retired US vice president. But he did not choose to retire quietly in Tennessee. He set out to change the world's awareness of global warming. He chose to help the people of the world become aware and responsible global environmental citizens. He first set out to speak to whomever will listen. He quietly and diligently lectured tens of thousands of American college students. Gradually he developed a clear, convincing story of global warming impact on our environment. Next he made a movie and wrote a book, mostly pictures and charts, much like his presentation. The story of global warming is not a hard one to tell. Until Al Gore came along, it was hidden in remote glaciars and academic scientists' file cabinets.
