Most Everyone Wants Clean Energy but is it Practical?

Oil polluting Dauphin Island tidal pool

Oil polluting Dauphin Island tidal pool, photographed July 11, 2010

Without a practical plan, the desire for clean energy is nothing more than a busted pipe dream. So, while most people realize the importance of clean energy for preserving our way of life, without a plan we will remain stuck in the tar pit of dirty energy and environmental pollutants.

Earlier this year before the oil spill, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy issued a challenge with a $10,000 prize for the development of a practical plan. Oceana’s Vision 2020 was the winner of the alliance’s challenge (see winner announcement). A presentation and podcast of Oceana’s incremental plan can be found at the alliance’s webinar archive. Oceana has also published a six-page report on the plan. The plan addresses (a) environmental sustainability with the use of clean reusable energies such as offshore wind power and bio-fuels; (b) energy conservation primarily through energy efficiency; (c) reductions in residential and commercial heating consumption and in the overall production of electricity through improved technologies; and (d) energy reductions in transportation through the use of “diesel (45 MPG), hybrid-electric (45 MPG), plug-in hybrid electric (70 MPG), and electric vehicles (2.9 MPkWh)” and slower speeds in worldwide shipping. All the technologies in Oceana’s plan have proven track-records, and rather than cost money, over time the plan would save money and create jobs. The plan if fully implemented in the U.S. would reduce U.S. oil consumption by 26% by 2020 and by 74% by 2035 – thus eliminating the U.S. dependence on domestic off-shore oil and greatly reducing the U.S. dependency on imported oil.

Nobody Knows But Everyone Can Act

Small groups focused on specific topics and discussed experiences, ideas, and actions at the Future of the Gulf - Community Brainstorm

Small groups focused on specific topics and discussed experiences, ideas, and actions at the Future of the Gulf - Community Brainstorm, photographed July 21, 2010

With the tropics heating up and the approach of Tropical Storm Bonnie, various differences between the landfall of a hurricane and the waterfall of an oil spill come to mind. One major difference is our wealth of understanding about hurricane impact and damage as compared to our lack of understanding about this oil spill. How long will the effects of the oil remain in the gulf water? Nobody knows. How will the eco-system be changed as a result of the oil eruption? Nobody knows. With so many fishing areas closed now, is the toxicity of the gulf food chain going to get worse or better over the course of years? Nobody knows. What will become of the dispersants as they are released in the atmosphere, surface water, and deep water? Nobody knows. How long will tourism be affected? Nobody knows. How will the reputation of gulf seafood be affected over the long term? Nobody knows. What will be long-term physical and psychological effects on the people who live in coastal areas? Nobody knows.

With so many unknowns, some signs are definitely unsettling. Yesterday, I saw an oiled osprey feather on the beach, there were miles of somewhat sparse oil floating in the Mississippi Sound, and much of the beaches of Katrina Key (Dauphin Island west of Katrina Cut) have still not been cleaned up after three weeks. The wildlife is definitely stressed and there are far fewer shore birds on the Island. Today, I saw three freshly killed sea gulls within a mile of the Dauphin Island bridge and in the early morning I could smell a diesel-like smell (probably from dispersants) in the air all over Dauphin Island.

On the hopeful side of all this, many people are keeping informed, sharing ideas, and doing things to make a difference. Ask yourself, what are my action items? Think things out with friends. Network. Pray. Make a list. Ask yourself, what do I need to look up or investigate? What can I do to build up my community or protect the environment? What can I do today? Each person’s actions can make a difference.

A sand crab too stressed to flee upon my approach

A sand crab near Katrina Cut too stressed to flee upon my approach, photographed July 22, 2010.

Joe Denton examines oil not cleaned from Dauphin Island for three weeks

Joe Denton examines oil not cleaned from Dauphin Island for three weeks, photographed July 22, 2010

An oiled osprey feather along the beach near Katrina Cut on Dauphin Island

An oiled osprey feather along the beach near Katrina Cut on Dauphin Island, photographed July 22, 2010

Surface oil in the Mississippi Sound north of the west end of Dauphin Island

Surface oil in the Mississippi Sound north of the west end of Dauphin Island, photographed July 22, 2010

More oil not cleaned up for three weeks on Dauphin Island west of Katrina Cut

More oil not cleaned up for three weeks on Dauphin Island west of Katrina Cut, photographed July 22, 2010.

An animated small group discussion during the Future of the Gulf - Community Brainstorm

An animated small group discussion during the Future of the Gulf - Community Brainstorm, photographed July 21, 2010

The Future of the Gulf is in our Hands

Lori Bosarge expresses her thoughts and concerns through her art. Using her front yard, plywood from the garage, and her paints, she is sending all of us a message.

Artist, Lori Bosarge, with one of her signs

Artist, Lori Bosarge, with one of her signs, photographed July 19, 2010

God, Infinite Lover of All, bless us and all of nature, we need your help

God, Infinite Lover of All, bless us and all of nature, we need your help, photographed July 19, 2010

This sign reminds us that dispersants are dangerous chemicals

This sign reminds us that dispersants are dangerous chemicals, photographed July 19, 2010

You are invited to share community needs, resources, ideas, and opportunities with other people who care at the Future of the Gulf – Community Brainstorm. Let’s brainstorm together and encourage one another to move positively to save our gulf, way of life, health, and community.

Future of the Gulf – Community Brainstorm
Wednesday, July 21, 7:00-8:30 P.M.
Shelby Center – 101 Bienville Blvd.
Dauphin Island Sea Lab

West Dauphin Island Update: As of Saturday, July 17, oil from two weeks ago was still waiting to be cleaned on West Dauphin Island.

Oil remains uncleaned on the sands of Dauphin Island west of Katrina Cut

Oil remains uncleaned on the sands of Dauphin Island west of Katrina Cut. Notice the vehicle tracks in the picture. Photographed July 17, 2010.

Oil on west Dauphin Island

Oil on west Dauphin Island, photographed July 17, 2010

Oil on beach on west Dauphin Island

Oil on beach on west Dauphin Island, photographed July 17, 2010

“The One that Got Away” – Deep Sea Rodeo Fun

Yesterday afternoon, with most fishing on hold, the 78th Annual Alabama Deep Sea Rodeo, renamed “The One that Got Away,” sponsored a “Community Day” with the ever-popular “Liars’ Contest.” Much of the “Community Day” events were enjoyed by children and adults alike. See pictures below (click on pictures for larger, more detailed views).


Reminder: The Future of the Gulf – Community Brainstorm will be Wedneday, July 21, 7:00 – 8:30 P.M. at the Shelby Center at the Dauphin Island Sealab at 101 Bienville Boulevard on Dauphin Island. See Facebook event too. It’s a brainstorming event focusing on our health, community, and nature in the wake of the oil catastrophe.


The Dauphin Island Sea Lab had several ocean life exhibits

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab had several ocean life exhibits, photographed July 17, 2010

Youthful anglers precisely casted their fishing lines into targets

Youthful anglers precisely casted their fishing lines into targets, photographed July 17, 2010

Children handled hermit crabs and other sea life

Children handled hermit crabs and other sea life, photographed July 17, 2010

Another Dauphin Island Sea Lab ocean life exhibit

Another Dauphin Island Sea Lab ocean life exhibit, photographed July 17, 2010.

A life-size educational board game

A life-size educational board game, photographed July 17, 2010

New faces appeared behind the normally busy rodeo counters awaiting next year's rodeo

New faces appeared behind the normally busy rodeo counters awaiting next year's rodeo, photographed July 17, 2010