Tag Archives: BP oil spill

Former Senator Bob Graham addresses latest blame in BP oil disaster and other state issues (06/23/2011)

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Aired on WUFT on June 23rd, 2011

An internal investigation by the owner of the rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico last year largely blames oil giant BP for the disaster. The Transocean report released yesterday (Wednesday) says the April 20th, 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and resulting oil spill was the result of the succession of well design, construction, and temporary abandonment decisions that compromised the integrity of the well which then compounded the risk of its failure. The Swiss firm says many of the decisions were made by well owner BP in the two weeks BEFORE the disaster. Meanwhile, BP’s internal report blames failures on multiple companies. Former U.S. Senator and two-time Florida Governor Bob Graham co-chaired the National Oil Commission which looked into the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. He talked with WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend about the latest blame game and other current Florida issues.

Coral reefs remain at risk from BP oil spill and global warming (08/16/2010)

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Aired on WUFT on August 16th, 2010

The Obama administration will no longer allow new deep water drilling projects to go forward without environmental reviews, as happened with BP’s Deepwater Horizon. The administration announced the new policy today (Monday) after the White House Council on Environmental Quality reported that BP got environmental exemptions based on decades-old data. Shallow-water drilling will also be subjected to stricter environmental scrutiny under the new policy.

Tar balls continue to wash up on Gulf shores despite the positive spin the President tried to give by vacationing in the Panhandle over the weekend. The big questions remain, ‘just how much oil remains in the water column below the surface and what will the impact be on coral reefs in the Gulf?’. Donna Green-Townsend talked with Gustav Paulay from the University of Florida about those issues. Professor Paulay is the Curator of Invertebrates at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Paulay says in addition to the Florida Keys, there are several other coral colonies at risk in the Gulf.

 

Shark researchers concerned about effects of BP oil spill on the total food chain in the Gulf (07/22/2010)

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Aired on WUFT on July 22nd, 2010

Shark experts from around the globe recently met in Providence Road Island. Among them was George Burgess from the University of Florida. Burgess wears many hats including work as the Curator of the International Shark Attack File and as the Coordinator for Museum Operations at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Though the BP oil spill was not on the official agenda for the conference, Burgess says it was a hot topic amongst all the shark researchers. In part two of her interview, Donna Green-Townsend talked with Burgess about how the BP oil spill will virtually take a toll on the entire food chain in the Gulf of Mexico.

Sea Turtle Nesting Season Prompts Quick Response In Light Of BP Oil Spill (06/14/2010)

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Aired on WUFT on June 14th, 2010

No one is watching the traveling oil plumes in the Gulf of Mexico more than David Godfrey. Godfrey is the Executive Director of the Caribbean Conservation Corporation, which next week will change its name to “The Sea Turtle Conservancy”. This not-for-profit organization is continuing the turtle research and conservation efforts started by the late Archie Carr, the internationally acclaimed sea turtle expert from the University of Florida. Godfrey talked with WUFT’s Donna Green-Townsend and says his staff is at alert status because of the BP oil spill.

Jean-Michel Cousteau Gives His Perspective On The BP Oil Spill’s Effects On The Future Of The Gulf

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Originally aired on WUFT on June 8th, 2010

My Father, The CaptainJean-Michel Cousteau has spent his entire life either on the ocean or educating the public about protecting the ocean. Jean-Michel is the eldest son of the late Jacques Cousteau who will forever be remembered as an ambassador of the sea. Jean-Michel spent much of his life traveling aboard the famous Calypso with his father exploring and videotaping the undersea world. He recently published a book about his life with his father called, “My Father, The Captain.” Jean-Michel talked with WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend about why he’s continuing his father’s work and how that work took him to the current oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Florida CFO Alex Sink Weighs In On Oil Spill, Negative Publicity and Tourism Dilemma

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Aired on WUFT on May 27th, 2010

Florida CFO Alex Sink wants people to know that Florida’s beaches are beautiful, the fish are biting and the only oil on the state’s beaches is suntan oil. Sink is worried that all the coverage on the oil spill has caused people to make vacation reservations elsewhere. Sink, who is running for Governor, wants to use $25 million dollars from BP to fund a global advertising campaign to get the word out that Florida’s beaches and waters are free of oil and open for business. She talked with WUFT’s Donna Green-Townsend.

Wild Iris Books Offers Its Store As Dropoff Point For Oil Cleanup Supplies (05/12/2010)

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Aired on WUFT on May 12th, 2010

Area residents are being encouraged to contribute needed items for oil cleanup. The Wild Iris Bookstore has agreed to be a drop-off point through Monday morning (May 17th) for items ranging from toothbrushes to towels and shovels. This effort came about when a Gainesville writer met up with a group of activists who were holding a meeting over another contaminated site. Donna Green-Townsend talked with writer Lola Haskins and one of the owners of Wild Iris Books, Cheryl Krouth about how others can get involved. For more information about ways to help you can go online to http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/whatyoucando.html