In late July, a Japanese ship ran aground the coast of Mauritius, spilling tons of oil in the process. As of August 13th, at least 1,000 tons of fuel have leaked into the island’s waters. The event has been declared a national emergency. This amount is lower than previous oil spills but it still could have a serious environmental impact if action isn’t taken in time.
So what’s so important about the Mauritius oil spill? Located nearby Madagascar, Mauritius is home to many unique species of plants and animals. As the oil travels around the island from the wind and the current, it hurts the ecosystem that resides there. Some of the effects include disease, lesions, reduced growth, and an increase in coral bleaching. Marine life will die. Toxins in oil will bleach out and kill the coral, which serves as protection against land erosion.
Currently, scientists and volunteers are working to clean up the oil and save the animals from a deadly fate. Their efforts might be in vain. Authorities are already speculating that the spill has caused irreversible damage to Mauritius’ coral reef.
We as a human race need to do better. Either we find a way to get rid of oil as a fuel source or we find a way to use oil safely.
My challenge this week? Research the effects of oil spills. Then look at other renewable energy sources. We have to stop oil spills from happening in the future.