Restore the Gulf
RestoretheGulf.gov is the official federal portal for the Deepwater BP oil spill response and recovery. www.restorethegulf.gov
Facts about the Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico has 1631 miles of coastline and over 16,000 miles of shoreline (including bays and inland waterways). Source: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Nearly ½ of all US coastal wetlands – over 5 million acres – are located along the gulf. Source: EPA
The coastal plains of the western gulf are used by nearly all of the migratory land bird species of the eastern US, as well as many western species. Source: US Geological Survey
From New Orleans seafood restaurants to Florida vacation rentals, the gulf’s annual tourist industry is estimated at over $100 billion. source: USA Today
The gulf is home to four of the top seven fishing ports in the United States and seven of the top ten seaports. Source: EPA
The gulf is home to an estimated 45,000 bottlenose dolphins. Source: EPA
The gulf waters are home to 73% of the shrimp and 59% of the oysters harvested in the United States each year and a total of 1.3 billion pounds of seafood valued at over $650 million. Source: EPA
Oil & Gas Exploration in the Gulf of Mexico
¼ of US domestic natural gas and 1/8 of U.S. oil is extracted from the gulf. Source: Minerals Management Service (MMS)
The offshore oil and gas industry employs 55,000 workers in the gulf. Source: EPA
In 2006, the offshore rigs extracted 470 million barrels of oil. Source: EPA
Lease rates paid to MMS: up to $1million/day Source: MMS
Maximum fine MMS can levy for violations: $35,000 Source: MMS
Dollars spent by BP on clean up: $17.5 million/day. Source: Washington Post
BP profits (1st quarter 2010): $93 million/day and market value: $156.2 billion. Source: Washington Post (May 11, 2010)
Punitive damages for 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill: $1 billion (settled in 2009, reduced from original $5 billion). Source: Washington Post
Exxon profits ($19.42 billion in 2009, $45.2 billion in 2008). Source: Fortune
Our Connection to Offshore Drilling
U.S. petroleum consumption: 19.5 million barrels/day – 71% for transportation Source: Energy Information Administration (EIA)
Annual consumption of bottled water in the U.S. requires the equivalent of between 32 and 54 million barrels of oil. Source: Pacific Insitute
100 billion single-use bags — using 12 million barrels of oil — are used each year in the U.S. Source: Worldwatch Institute
Take Action
Prayers for the Gulf
Recent News
Resources for Reflection & Action
All Creation is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it.
Social Principles ¶160 – The Natural World
April 4, 2011 Update - The resource for this Earth Day / Gulf Coast Oil Spill anniversary is now available for download from the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Working Group website.
March 17, 2011 Update - As the one-year anniversary of the Gulf Coast Oil Spill approaches, we are still awaiting a proper response from our elected and appointed leaders. During the Fall and Winter of 2010, meetings were held between the staff and offices of all the United States Senators from the states along the Gulf Coast, as well as staff and offices of key members who would work directly with any assistance or aid programs. In addition, meetings were also held with the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Labor, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency in order to get a clear sense of how comprehensive the response has been on the ground in the Gulf Coast, as well as the administration of the "BP Fund". Despite these efforts, we have yet to see a response from from our leaders and officials.
This year, Easter, The Festival of God's Creation / Earth Day Sunday, and the first anniversary of the Oil Spill all occur during the same week. This provides an opportunity for churches and congregations to remember our call to be stewards of God's good Creation.
In the coming weeks, we will being to provide resources to integrate commemoration of this tragedy into worship services.
We also encourage you to take a look at an informative blog / web page that is continually monitoring and posting new information about the Gulf Coast recovery efforts. The General Board of Church and Society is one of the sponsoring partners for this initiative. The site can be accessed at http://www.afterthespill.com.
Please continue to keep the people and the entire Gulf Coast region in your thoughts and prayers.
Past News
While we must take a moment to recognize the milestone of the apparently successful sealing of the well on Sunday, September 19, we must continue to remember that the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico is ongoing. We must remember that the disaster is an ongoing visible testament to our failure to serve as caretakers of God’s good creation. For many of us, the daily images of devastation to both the ecosystems and economies in the region leave us wondering what we can do. In response to these questions and in consultation with partners in the affected region, here are some opportunities for prayer and action.
Last month, 28 faith leaders issued a national statement calling for a comprehensive response to the disaster. This petition lifts up the six principles emphasized in the statement. With Congress planning to debate its response in the coming weeks, now is a critical time to make your voice heard.
Send an eCard inviting others to add their name to the petition!
Join in Prayer:
Plan for a Day of Worship, Prayer and Action on October 3rd
On October 3rd: GBCS and our ecumenical partners at the National Council of Churches have developed resources to be used on or around Sunday, October 3rd. The materials include worship resources, adult study guides and additional ideas for individual and congregational action.
Prayers for the Gulf
The slow-motion tragedy of the gulf oil spill lays bare our collective failure as caretakers of God’s good creation. While unknown thousands of barrels of oil leak into the rich and diverse ecosystem of the Gulf of Mexico, how are we as Christians called to respond? While it is easy to express anger and cast blame at the companies who owned, operated and profited from the deep sea exploration, we must also reflect on our own complicity through our endless demand for cheap oil.
So much remains unknown: How long will the oil flow into the gulf? How far will the oil slick spread? How damaging will the spill be to fragile wetlands and the flora and fauna in the region? How will the spreading oil slick jeopardize the future of thousands of watermen and those who depend on the Gulf for their livelihoods?
In the face of these uncertainties, we turn to the One who is certain – the One whose creative and recreating power is stronger than any of our human folly. May we heed the call of the Scriptures, humble ourselves and pray that God will forgive our sins and heal the land.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Creator God, author of life, source of all meaning, you made a universe of infinite complexity and beauty and entrusted us humans with the care of a tiny jewel called Earth.
With the passing of time we came to believe we were owners, not fellow creature dwellers, of this bountiful planet and its extravagant web of life. We have used God’s creation without regard for the impact our rapacity had on the other creatures with whom we share our earthly home. We have acted with craven disregard for complex ecosystems we barely understand. Our self-deception has led us to assume we have the capacity to manage environments we exploit to sustain lifestyles that defy the intrinsic interdependence of all life.
Now we face the consequences of our idolatry. We thought we were gods; but our recklessness has brought us to our knees, to ask for your mercy and forgiveness for the chaos we have brought about. We pray for the oceans and all the creatures that dwell in it. We pray for the forests and the abundance of life they nurture. We pray for the very air we breathe, now laden with the toxic gases we produce. We pray for our children whose earthly home we have so imperiled.
Loving God, have mercy on us, grant us forgiveness and the strength to make amends.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
There are no sins so great that the mercy of God cannot forgive. Go with God’s grace to make amends. Embrace lifestyles that will help restore balance and harmony to our Earthly home. Care for those whose environments have been destroyed by our actions and inactions. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
God, we come to you today with heavy and humbled hearts. We ask that your healing, comforting and strengthening presence be with all those affected by this unfolding tragedy:
For workers injured and those who lost their lives on the Deepwater Horizon, and for their families and friends, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers
For people working tirelessly to contain the spill and protect fragile ecosystems and communities from its toxic impacts, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers
For individuals and communities whose livelihoods depend upon the Gulf of Mexico, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers
For your good Creation — from the smallest of sea creatures to the birds of the air
— and all your magnificent handiwork at risk of exposure from our human errors, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers
For wisdom to understand our dependence on You and strength that we might walk humbly in the path of justice and right-relationships with all Your Creation, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers
Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Forgiveness courtesy of the Rev. Mari Castellanos, Justice & Witness Ministries, United Church of Christ
Prayers of the People courtesy of John S. Hill, Director of Economic & Environmental Justice, General Board of Church & Society
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (UMNS) - We can blame BP for the Gulf Coast oil spill, but Ray Waddle suggests in a commentary that Americans also take a look in the mirror when searching for causes of the disaster. We are a religious nation, he writes, yet the American way of consumption makes no connection to reverence, belief, ethics, awe, humility, courage or discipleship. Waddle offers some ways churches can help Americans begin to address their fuel gluttony.
