Voices from the Gulf: Environmental disaster threatening a way of life, health, economy

Green for All Sat, 15 May at 1:50am
Arial view, Gulf of Mexico oil spill, http://www.flickr.com/photos/m1k3y/4587769249/

Arial view, Gulf of Mexico oil spill, http://www.flickr.com/photos/m1k3y/4587769249/

Thousands of barrels of crude oil are steadily gushing into the Gulf every day, threatening the lives, health, economy, and environment of an entire region. The catastrophe in the Gulf Coast has already taken the lives of 11 workers. Communities should not have to risk their health and safety to support their families. The economic stability of our communities should not be held hostage by the dangers of the dirty energy economy.

The British Petroleum (BP) oil spill is an environmental, economic and social disaster that is crippling the livelihood of thousands of fishermen, and the economic stability of the entire Gulf Coast region. The Gulf seafood industry is a $3 billion economy and provides a third of all U.S. seafood. There are at least 13,000 commercial fishing vessels registered in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. With federal waters closed in southern Louisiana, fishing communities can’t make catch or income.

The oil slick moves closer to shorelines everyday, critically threatening our precious ecosystem and having the potential to wipe out businesses that have been a way of life in the Gulf Coast for over a century.

The Gulf Coast’s Vietnamese fishing community faces some of the most daunting challenges. Families are struggling to make ends meet. Many who were in financially difficult times before this crisis are now under threat of losing their homes and their source of income. Already, two families in Biloxi have had their homes foreclosed. They are asking banks for forbearance and asking elected leaders for help.

Boats will be repossessed soon if families cannot make the necessary payments. Tuan Dang, owner of a fishing boat in Biloxi says, “We are in a really difficult position right now. Lawyers, EPA, and BP are coming at us. Right now we are going through financial hardship… I don’t know what other jobs there are.”

Watch the video below to hear about the Gulf Coast Catastrophe from a community facing the reality of this tragedy.

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About Green for All
Green For All is a national organization working to build an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty. Our Mission Green For All is dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans through a clean energy economy. We work in collaboration with the business, government, labor, and grassroots communities to create and implement programs that increase quality jobs and opportunities in green industry – all while holding the most vulnerable people at the center of our agenda.