Well, Now What?

With the oil spill now capped (assuming everything holds), the assessment of the full extent of the devastating damage begins. Many environmental organizations were already active in the Gulf long before the oil spill, and their commitment to the region and to the cleanup efforts is unwavering.

Donations and volunteers will be needed for months and even years to come. The Waterkeeper Alliance has launched the Save Our Gulf Campaign, which follows the efforts of the Gulf Waterkeepers. Consider making a donation to their efforts or to the efforts of the many worthy organizations working in the Gulf that I wrote about in the previous post.

One of the most important actions we can all take is to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels; check out My Gulf Action to find easy ways to do just that.

With all of the devastating reports and pictures rolling in it is easy to feel discouraged, but there are simple actions we can all take to hold those responsible accountable and to help with the cleanup.

How to Help in the Gulf

With all of the bad news about the BP oil disaster, it is difficult not to feel discouraged. The reports about how much oil and methane is spilling into the Gulf are daunting, and it is clear that we are faced with one of the biggest environmental disasters ever.

It is important for all of us to stay informed and to do what we can to ensure both accountability and adequate clean-up. Here are three things you can do to help:

First, consider donating money to organizations involved with the monitoring and cleanup efforts, and second, consider volunteering. People are needed to do everything from cleaning wildlife to monitoring the movement of oil. A coalition of organizations including The Nature Conservancy and the National Audubon Society has put together the Louisiana Gulf Response. Organizations like The Waterkeeper Alliance and Matter of Trust are also very active in responding to the oil spill and can use donations and/or volunteers to help with their efforts.

Third, stay informed and up-to-date and encourage accountability and ongoing cleanup efforts. Visit the websites above, as well as the Deepwater Horizon Response website, for more information. Post information on your Facebook page, tweet about the latest developments, and encourage your friends to take action as well.


In a crisis of this magnitude, even small steps are essential reminders that we all are able to make a positive difference.