No Safe Passage: The Danger of Oil Spills

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The recent oil spill in Trinidad and Tobago has caused the government there to declare a national emergency. The spill is extending hundreds of miles into the Caribbean Sea and is now also impacting the coasts of Bonaire, Aruba and Grenada. It serves as a stark reminder of the grave risks associated with oil spills and the transhipment of fossil fuels. Despite assurances from industry proponents, the reality remains evident: there is no foolproof method to transport oil without posing a significant threat to delicate marine ecosystems and the people and businesses that depend on them.

Authorities are still searching for those responsible and it seems likely that the 35 thousand barrel oil spill resulted from a barge that had originated in Panama. Investigators say the vessel seemed to be on its way to Guyana and was towed into the area by a tugboat before running aground on a reef.

Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, Executive Director of BREEF and Founding Member of Our Islands, Our Future, asserts, “Oil spills can cause irreparable harm to marine ecosystems and devastate local economies. There is no foolproof method to extract and transport oil without the inherent risk of catastrophic spills.

“Each accident serves as a sobering reminder that the consequences of mishandling oil production and transportation are severe and far-reaching, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable renewable energy alternatives.”

https://apnews.com/article/bonaire-oil-spill-tobago-trinidad-9b9a5b76a8da777b27ab8b6ef10faf86

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-68413102