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Oil, risk and technology: Choices we need to make Oil, risk and technology: Choices we need to make
(about 4 hours later)
VIEWPOINT William JacksonVIEWPOINT William Jackson
The oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico should be a wake-up call to governments and energy companies, argues William Jackson, raising deep questions about our addiction to oil. Compensation may be paid for immediate damages - but what about the wider environmental harm?The oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico should be a wake-up call to governments and energy companies, argues William Jackson, raising deep questions about our addiction to oil. Compensation may be paid for immediate damages - but what about the wider environmental harm?
Birds along the gulf coast have been among the immediate victimsBirds along the gulf coast have been among the immediate victims
The world changed one summer's day in 1858.The world changed one summer's day in 1858.
In a field in Pennsylvania, in the United States, the world's first specially constructed deep well struck oil.In a field in Pennsylvania, in the United States, the world's first specially constructed deep well struck oil.
The trickle of oil from the Earth, long extracted by humans in small amounts, became a torrent.The trickle of oil from the Earth, long extracted by humans in small amounts, became a torrent.
It is time to look again at the technology and risks involved in getting the oil our societies are addicted toIt is time to look again at the technology and risks involved in getting the oil our societies are addicted to
Relatively easy to find, extract, process, store and transport - and above all cheap - liquid oil quickly became our most important energy source to cook, heat, cool and transport things.Relatively easy to find, extract, process, store and transport - and above all cheap - liquid oil quickly became our most important energy source to cook, heat, cool and transport things.
From plastics to supermarkets, and from globalised industry supply chains to the layout of our towns and cities, almost every aspect of human life has been radically altered over the past 150 years by oil.From plastics to supermarkets, and from globalised industry supply chains to the layout of our towns and cities, almost every aspect of human life has been radically altered over the past 150 years by oil.
Although cheap and plentiful oil has given many people choices and freedoms that never existed before, our addiction has been costly, measured in increased air and water pollution, rampant land use change, overharvesting of our seas, increasing greenhouse gas emissions and consequent climate change, acid rain and urban sprawl.Although cheap and plentiful oil has given many people choices and freedoms that never existed before, our addiction has been costly, measured in increased air and water pollution, rampant land use change, overharvesting of our seas, increasing greenhouse gas emissions and consequent climate change, acid rain and urban sprawl.
After 150 years, and with the Gulf of Mexico being the latest place where a major oil spill threatens nature and people in predictable and unpredictable ways, it is time to look again at the technologies and risks involved in getting the oil to which our societies are addicted.After 150 years, and with the Gulf of Mexico being the latest place where a major oil spill threatens nature and people in predictable and unpredictable ways, it is time to look again at the technologies and risks involved in getting the oil to which our societies are addicted.
Driving technologyDriving technology
The days of easy access to oil are over.The days of easy access to oil are over.
Humans are inventing ever more ingenious ways to find and extract more difficult to access oil reserves in more extreme and generally more ecologically pristine regions.Humans are inventing ever more ingenious ways to find and extract more difficult to access oil reserves in more extreme and generally more ecologically pristine regions.
BP will pay to clean the water in the Gulf of Mexico, but cleaning the water and restoring ecosystem function is not the same thingBP will pay to clean the water in the Gulf of Mexico, but cleaning the water and restoring ecosystem function is not the same thing
But getting oil from places such as the Arctic or deep under the ocean is not only technically difficult; it increases the risk of environmental damage, as we're currently seeing in the Gulf of Mexico.But getting oil from places such as the Arctic or deep under the ocean is not only technically difficult; it increases the risk of environmental damage, as we're currently seeing in the Gulf of Mexico.
Oil extraction technology has improved a great deal over recent years, driven in part by the need to get it from these more difficult places.Oil extraction technology has improved a great deal over recent years, driven in part by the need to get it from these more difficult places.
There have also been big improvements in operational procedures and standards, not least regarding the health and safety of oil workers.There have also been big improvements in operational procedures and standards, not least regarding the health and safety of oil workers.
But technology and operational procedures to minimise the risk of environmental damage, and to cope with and clean up after environmental catastrophes, do not appear to have kept pace with extraction technology.But technology and operational procedures to minimise the risk of environmental damage, and to cope with and clean up after environmental catastrophes, do not appear to have kept pace with extraction technology.
Oil is still gushing into the Gulf of Mexico. BP is spending millions of dollars a day to contain the oil with booms, using chemicals to disperse and break it up, and burning some oil on the ocean surface.Oil is still gushing into the Gulf of Mexico. BP is spending millions of dollars a day to contain the oil with booms, using chemicals to disperse and break it up, and burning some oil on the ocean surface.
But understanding how, for example, these toxic chemicals become distributed in the water column and how they will affect marine life, given the scale at which they are being used, is poor.But understanding how, for example, these toxic chemicals become distributed in the water column and how they will affect marine life, given the scale at which they are being used, is poor.
BP is deploying makeshift containment domes to channel the escaping oil from the ocean floor to the surface where it can be collected by vessels.BP is deploying makeshift containment domes to channel the escaping oil from the ocean floor to the surface where it can be collected by vessels.
Considering the high environmental and societal risks and impacts, and huge cost of oil spills, shouldn't this technology be more advanced?Considering the high environmental and societal risks and impacts, and huge cost of oil spills, shouldn't this technology be more advanced?
The waters of the Gulf of Mexico are warm, with well developed infrastructure and staging locations nearby. What would happen if a similar disaster happened in the cold, ice covered and remote waters of the Arctic?The waters of the Gulf of Mexico are warm, with well developed infrastructure and staging locations nearby. What would happen if a similar disaster happened in the cold, ice covered and remote waters of the Arctic?
The higher risk of getting oil from more remote places means a higher price.The higher risk of getting oil from more remote places means a higher price.
Islands can be protected - but not the wider ocean's ecologyIslands can be protected - but not the wider ocean's ecology
Where oil reaches the coast, it will damage ecosystems on which many people rely for livelihoods.Where oil reaches the coast, it will damage ecosystems on which many people rely for livelihoods.
Chord-grass marshes are vital nursery grounds for shrimp, and habitat for numerous other species.Chord-grass marshes are vital nursery grounds for shrimp, and habitat for numerous other species.
It has been estimated that 90% of seafood from the Gulf of Mexico is produced by the marshes of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.It has been estimated that 90% of seafood from the Gulf of Mexico is produced by the marshes of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
Hurricane Katrina showed us how much we depend on healthy natural coastal ecosystems for shoreline protection.Hurricane Katrina showed us how much we depend on healthy natural coastal ecosystems for shoreline protection.
The bigger riskThe bigger risk
We see pictures of damaged animals, wetlands and shorelines around the region; but the short and long term impacts on ecosystems and livelihoods will stretch well beyond Louisiana's fishing and tourist operators.We see pictures of damaged animals, wetlands and shorelines around the region; but the short and long term impacts on ecosystems and livelihoods will stretch well beyond Louisiana's fishing and tourist operators.
The true risks of energy choices on ecosystem services - the natural systems that support human life and livelihoods - are not being adequately factored into government policy or the balance sheets and stock prices of businesses.The true risks of energy choices on ecosystem services - the natural systems that support human life and livelihoods - are not being adequately factored into government policy or the balance sheets and stock prices of businesses.
BP will pay to clean the water in the Gulf of Mexico, but cleaning the water and restoring ecosystem function is not the same thing.BP will pay to clean the water in the Gulf of Mexico, but cleaning the water and restoring ecosystem function is not the same thing.
The discovery of oil changed the world - is the world paying the price?The discovery of oil changed the world - is the world paying the price?
The true costs of restoration will not be borne by BP.The true costs of restoration will not be borne by BP.
They will be borne through the lost opportunities, livelihoods and culture of communities dependent upon the ecosystem services that would otherwise be generated by the gulf, by the tourists who do not get to enjoy visiting the area, and by taxpayers who end up footing the bill to bring the regional economy back into health.They will be borne through the lost opportunities, livelihoods and culture of communities dependent upon the ecosystem services that would otherwise be generated by the gulf, by the tourists who do not get to enjoy visiting the area, and by taxpayers who end up footing the bill to bring the regional economy back into health.
There will be disruptions and losses to commercial, sport and subsistence shell and fin fisheries and mariculture, as well as to commercial shipping and recreational boating.There will be disruptions and losses to commercial, sport and subsistence shell and fin fisheries and mariculture, as well as to commercial shipping and recreational boating.
Mangroves, as hatcheries and filtering systems, will be affected meaning additional water treatment costs.Mangroves, as hatcheries and filtering systems, will be affected meaning additional water treatment costs.
Hotels, restaurants and bars, rental car companies, airports, military operations, and other industrial activities will suffer, with indirect and induced regional economic effects of these losses compounding the costs.Hotels, restaurants and bars, rental car companies, airports, military operations, and other industrial activities will suffer, with indirect and induced regional economic effects of these losses compounding the costs.
Some losses may prove to be economically or ecologically irreversible, raising the true costs of the accident substantially.Some losses may prove to be economically or ecologically irreversible, raising the true costs of the accident substantially.
Future proofFuture proof
What would it take to reduce the likelihood of such a disaster happening again?What would it take to reduce the likelihood of such a disaster happening again?
First and foremost, it is unlikely that the true cost of such an event was accounted for by BP, because many of the effects on ecosystem services are only indirectly influenced by market forces.First and foremost, it is unlikely that the true cost of such an event was accounted for by BP, because many of the effects on ecosystem services are only indirectly influenced by market forces.
A full accounting of the value of ecosystem services from the Gulf of Mexico by either BP or its insurance companies would increase the expected cost of accidents, reduce the likelihood of risky projects being approved and increase the likelihood of adopting additional, and costly, safeguards against such accidents.A full accounting of the value of ecosystem services from the Gulf of Mexico by either BP or its insurance companies would increase the expected cost of accidents, reduce the likelihood of risky projects being approved and increase the likelihood of adopting additional, and costly, safeguards against such accidents.
The history of energy extraction has been marked by a number of disasters that have driven change: Piper Alpha, Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and the Exxon Valdez to name but a few.The history of energy extraction has been marked by a number of disasters that have driven change: Piper Alpha, Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and the Exxon Valdez to name but a few.
What is happening now in the Gulf of Mexico should be a wakeup call to governments, regulatory authorities and energy companies.What is happening now in the Gulf of Mexico should be a wakeup call to governments, regulatory authorities and energy companies.
It should spur them to provide safeguards, improve technology to minimise the potential of environmental disasters, adequately and rapidly deal with the environmental and social consequences when disasters occur - and re-examine and improve the way we factor cost into energy investment decisions.It should spur them to provide safeguards, improve technology to minimise the potential of environmental disasters, adequately and rapidly deal with the environmental and social consequences when disasters occur - and re-examine and improve the way we factor cost into energy investment decisions.
Dr William Jackson is deputy director-general of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)Dr William Jackson is deputy director-general of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
The Green Room is a series of opinion articles on environmental issues running weekly on the BBC News websiteThe Green Room is a series of opinion articles on environmental issues running weekly on the BBC News website
Do you agree with Dr Jackson? Is our modern society addicted to oil? Is it possible to price the damage to ocean ecosystems and the wider environment? Would doing so make oil exploration too expensive? And if so, would that be a good or bad thing?Do you agree with Dr Jackson? Is our modern society addicted to oil? Is it possible to price the damage to ocean ecosystems and the wider environment? Would doing so make oil exploration too expensive? And if so, would that be a good or bad thing?
I want to scream at every person who fills up at BP right now. The birds are the easiest to show the effect. We have almost NO oxygen in the gulf waters right now, which means all the microorganisms are dying, which means that the big fish will die too. 30 sea turtles in Mississippi washed up probably as a result of the explosion, but no one can prove it. It stinks like diesel fuel down here, and I'm crying at every other Gulf Spill headline. I liked what one blogger said- it's a GUSHER not a spill. We will be seeing/feeling the effects of this for the rest of my lifetime. I'm in my 30s and this is going to end up causing more damage than Exxon did to Alaska… Why have they not stopped the GUSHER? Why do so FEW people care? can we please make solar afforadable?Patricia Berntsein, New Orleans, LA, USA
In the wake of such disaster, the horror and public outcry might force oil companies and governments to restrategize for a greener future.Engr Salam, Kalai,Bangladesh
When I heard about the news last month, I thought it wouldn't be too serious at first, and I believed BP could solve it soon. However, as so many days passed by, I realised that things were not as easy as I thought before. I feel really sorry that people in Louisiana are in such a great trouble. Also, some experts say that the oil may hit Florida. I insist that what BP should do now is to use any possible method to stop the oil from coming into the sea and clean the water before it becomes a greater disaster. Other energy companies should learn something from this accident. We couldn't stop using oil. But we must do something to avoid such accident, which may cost much money. In order to develop the economy and protect the most important environment, the money is worth spending.Dai Yixuan, Yueyang, China
I think if only Dr Jackson knew more the history of the oil story; he would be outside BP's office himself throwing bricks at the building ! We had the opportunity to halve the amount of oil we burn in our cars, since 1912/13. But the choice was taken to get rich instead. The hard work was dumbed down, and in sheer disbelief at what he was watching us do; Diesel jumped off the ship. Half the oil in the last 100 years was simply wasted as a result. Half those sunk tankers would yet to have sailed, and half those oil wells would yet to be drilled. It's a classic chicken and egg situation; they won't tell you, and you don't know enough to ask. And there is a more interesting aspect, and it is this; the life cycle of crude oil is, we dig a hole in one place, and bring up the crude oil. We cream off the petrol we wanted for our Otto engines. Then we go and dig a hole somewhere else and bury the waste by products; tar, plastics, petrochemicals, pesticides, etc. Now the point is this; if we are now getting the oil from under the ocean, but still burying the waste on the dry land; well, we are pretty soon going to cover the dry land; unless we dump all the watse plastic in the ocean and leave it to drift around out there; . . oh, we do ?! And the fact is; for now, we still rather want it that way Cheers StevenSteven Walker, Penzance
The issue is that at present we do not really know the extent of the leaks, both surfacing and sub-surface. With implementation of dispersants that are themselves hazardous chemicals that are either doing as advertised and dispersing (not removing!) or forcing the oil sub-surface, we are simply adding to a growing problem. The oil, chemicals being used will all have generational long-term effects to the ecosystems, environments for both man/animals and plants alike. Chemicals poison from within damaging DNA and breaking up the entire chain of life where it starts - in the wetlands, the sea beds and seashores of the Gulf. The damage from absorption by plant life, animal life will have long term knock-on effects. The worst part is that on a global scale, this is still as small spill by comparison to the others in history. Clearly BP are working to resolve the problem, and the US government will change the regulations. Will this prevent a greater disaster in the future? Doubtful. Will it prevent this happening again? Possibly. The sequence of failures, human and mechanical alike must be understood and sterner checks made. Both government and industry need to work together to improve safety and plan better for such eventualities. The world over people (all governments) need to take look at disasters such as this, and get a grip on the longer term cost to the environment and mankind as a whole. We are a part of the system and depend on the ecosystems that surround us. We cannot continue to abuse them without it affecting ourselves and the environment permanently.D Breese, Moscow, Russia
Innovation and the use of other resources can and does happen quite rapidly when the cost of a commodity becomes untenable. In the case of our fossil fuel use there are many other technologies coming into play, but until fossil fuels stop being subsidized and the true cost of their use is factored into our economic matrix nothing will change and our environmental and climate destruction will continue unchecked. Everything can be reduced to it's essential component - cost. If the cost is too high it falls out of favour.Jackie Mason, Nevada City, CA USA
in the70's we were banned by opec and sufford gas shotages and choas. Our rep's promised to reduce our dependance on imported oil, why did they not do it?pete j Waldern, punta gorda Fl.
I've seen this argument that we must drive up the cost of oil to inspire demand and innovation for alternative technologies. This action is counterintuitive and does not serve this purpose. It simply pays oil companies more for doing the same poor job and maintains the status quo. We need to lower prices world wide, and make the product so inexpensive it is no longer profitable to produce it. Producing states require prices well above production costs to operate. You kill the profit motive and suddenly the entire world-wide infrastructure collapses within a few years. The secondary effect is that consumers, who are not increasing demand (yet prices continue to go up due to speculative trading, etc.), will pay less for the same service providing economic stimulus in the short term, without quantitative easing, expanded debt, or raising taxes. It is my belief that given the opportunity to equalize and stabilize markets, as well as removing business intervention, support (by Central Banks, investors, etc.); oil will trade at the prevailing market rate - below production costs as it did in March 2009, before we re-inflated worldwide equity markets with American and British debt. Effects from such a policy are varied, but typically will result in either developing new technologies or halting exploration of new oil fields to prop up price - both of which are critical to weaning off black gold at all levels. Regarding improving consumer durables (auto) efficiency, your argument is sound yet it still facilitates pushing the problem further down the line. Improved efficiency and less consumption per unit seems like the right policy but in reality allows producers and suppliers to extend the time frame. Thoughts?matt, Connecticut, US
I AM SORRY TO SAY THAT THIS IS NOT JUST (BP) PROBLEM THIS IS WORLD PROBLEM AND ITS SAID TO SEE THAT NO ONE COME FORWARD TO STOP THE OIL, NOT EVEN INT'L COUMMUNITY THE CALL THEM SELF ENVIORNMENTLIST, I DON'T THIS WE AS HUMEN CARE ABOUT THIS OIL SPILL IN GULF OF MXICO.PLEASE STOP THE OIL LEAK. NOWeijaz, CHICAGO,ILL
I find it ironic that its the Americans who are now critical about the serious and very sad side effect of this accident of which the blame has been laid at the feet of BP … What about the owner of the drill platform and the apparent faults to safety equipment .. have I misunderstood the reported news ? Are BP not the operator - not owner ? If you hire a car with faults and have a crash due to these faults are you responsible ???? The Americans are the most selfish nation for consumption on this planet for energy and food - look at the size of them ... yep stop exploration and oil supplies from middle east etc ( if so concerned about pollution then its only reasonable they should stop imports and not have tankers at sea on their behalf ? ) Quadruple their gas prices .. then listen to the moans. Yes I believe we need to look at alternatives ASAP .. Hydrogen fuel cells maybe. Modern cars are much more efficient but sadly this is swallowed up in alternators like power stations, air-con pumps, excessive weight and size that means we still drink fuel at 1970's rates although now travel in greater luxury ! Where is a basic simple light vehicle that can double mileage by harnessing the technology benefits allied to simplicity - cars have become bloated with new models generally longer, wider, taller, heavier leaving a gap at the bottom again as super minis became mainstream ???? Feel much better to get that off my chest … agree or disagree ???David Ogilvy, Scarborough, N YorksI find it ironic that its the Americans who are now critical about the serious and very sad side effect of this accident of which the blame has been laid at the feet of BP … What about the owner of the drill platform and the apparent faults to safety equipment .. have I misunderstood the reported news ? Are BP not the operator - not owner ? If you hire a car with faults and have a crash due to these faults are you responsible ???? The Americans are the most selfish nation for consumption on this planet for energy and food - look at the size of them ... yep stop exploration and oil supplies from middle east etc ( if so concerned about pollution then its only reasonable they should stop imports and not have tankers at sea on their behalf ? ) Quadruple their gas prices .. then listen to the moans. Yes I believe we need to look at alternatives ASAP .. Hydrogen fuel cells maybe. Modern cars are much more efficient but sadly this is swallowed up in alternators like power stations, air-con pumps, excessive weight and size that means we still drink fuel at 1970's rates although now travel in greater luxury ! Where is a basic simple light vehicle that can double mileage by harnessing the technology benefits allied to simplicity - cars have become bloated with new models generally longer, wider, taller, heavier leaving a gap at the bottom again as super minis became mainstream ???? Feel much better to get that off my chest … agree or disagree ???David Ogilvy, Scarborough, N Yorks
I think its not an addiction to oil thats the problem. The entire infrastructure for transport is geared up for oil, powerplants use oil gas or coal which are all fossil based fuels. Fossil fuel industry is the dominant form of power generation and has been for years. These companies will do everything they can to keep hold of their strangle hold on society. i.e the technology and funding is available for electric cars to be produced with a very similar range and performance set up to petrol and diesel. The reason it doesn't happen is the oil industry would be crippled.thomas jarvis, Loughborough, UKI think its not an addiction to oil thats the problem. The entire infrastructure for transport is geared up for oil, powerplants use oil gas or coal which are all fossil based fuels. Fossil fuel industry is the dominant form of power generation and has been for years. These companies will do everything they can to keep hold of their strangle hold on society. i.e the technology and funding is available for electric cars to be produced with a very similar range and performance set up to petrol and diesel. The reason it doesn't happen is the oil industry would be crippled.thomas jarvis, Loughborough, UK
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