I’m sure you’ve heard by now about the collision of a ship and barge in Galveston Bay that resulted in a tragic oil spill. I wrote this post after the last major oil spill in the gulf, and here we are again. I am heartbroken, as I’m sure many of you are. I am a life long lover of the beach and I wept as I watched the news of oil spreading in to the Gulf of Mexico, threatening migratory birds at the height of their season, killing countless animals, and destroying the beautiful shores of our Texas beaches. The careers of fishermen and the tourist industries of the gulf towns are at risk, and the environmental effects will be felt for decades.

I hate it, yet we continue to drive gas guzzling SUVs and support this nation’s dependence on the very substance causing the tragedy. I cannot go and help today, but if you live in the bay area you can. Anyone can donate to the relief effort. Volunteer, donate, or report oil sightings here with the Galveston Bay Foundation. I hope that something can be learned from an environmental disaster of this magnitude and our collective national mindset will begin to move away from our oil addiction.