I can only imagine what environmentalists who battled the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989 have to say about the continuation of oil spills, especially the most recent national spill in the Gulf, off the coast of Louisiana. I am guessing they are speechless.

Two weeks ago, an oilrig operated by BP (but owned by Transocean) exploded, causing up to 5,000 barrels of oil to be leaked daily into the water. In addition, eleven missing workers are presumed to be dead. The oil slick is rapidly spreading, and Louisiana's Governor, Bobby Jindal, has already declared a state of emergency, in addition to Florida's same status.

After the Valdez spill, as a nation we said "never again," yet what is happening right now is believed to possibly be even more environmentally devastating than Valdez. Furthermore, the fact that President Obama recently approved offshore drilling is beyond ironic, considering that the White House has now banned all new offshore drilling off the US coast.

I am appalled at the oil spill, and I am ashamed that our country allowed something so awful to happen. Again. The only way to prevent oil spills is to stop all offshore drilling, and President Obama must take Louisiana's situation as a learning opportunity. The only positive aspect of this entire ordeal is that BP is required to pay for all expenses of clean-up because of laws put in place after the Exxon Valdez spill. However, Prince William Sound still has not recovered from that spill; irreversible degradation has been committed, and unfortunately the Gulf Coast is most surely going to experience similar devastation.

The oil has already hit Louisiana's coast and dire consequences are expected. The economically crucial fishing industries of both Louisiana and Mississippi will no doubt be devastated as well as the estuaries that line Louisiana's coast. The Chief Veterinary Officer for the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Gregory Bossart, expressed his concerns, "There are dolphins right now in the oil slick. When the oil starts to settle, it'll smother the oyster beds. It'll kill the oysters."

Keep in mind that this is only one example of one ecosystem that is under threat because of the oil. It is perceived that the ten wildlife refuges around the Gulf Coast will also be devastated, as well as wetlands and many species of birds. Again, the preceding descriptions of environmental degradation due to the oil spill do not nearly encompass the oil slick's widespread impacts. Yes, the US Government responded almost immediately, and clean up is currently under way. Nevertheless, no one knows what caused the explosion or, more importantly, what the full consequences of the explosion will be. Already a group of shrimpers from Louisiana has filed suit against both BP and Transocean. I, of course, support them, and I hope they reap ample retribution.

It is going to cost millions of dollars to attempt to restore this area of the Gulf Coast. According to the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council, Exxon spent about $2.1 billion to clean the affected area. Estimations of the cost of clean-up efforts for the current spill have been even greater.

If this is not a good enough reason for the US to stop all oil drilling indefinitely, nothing will ever prevent the US from continuing to drill for oil offshore. Make your voice heard and contact your elected officials. We must take action for ourselves, for future generations, and for the environment.