Research and discussion: politics and the environment

Introduction Oil spillage is a prevalent occurrence in different parts of the world. It mostly occurs as a result of human error and an accident in other instances. Creation of consciousness is one of the most feasible solutions to curb environmental degradation. Political leadership is also necessary because of the need of environmental legislation.
Risk Factors and Expected Environmental Consequences
Oil spillage occurs both in water and on land. The effects tend to have a serious impact on the environment. Terrestrial land spillages can cause the death of vegetation. This happens once the oil spills on land and makes it water tight. Animals that live underground will choke to death because they cannot get access to oxygen. Marine oil spillage is another phenomenon that we need to cover amicably. It does have its unfavorable effects to the environment. The death of birds and other marine animals are the main ones. Birds’ feathers clog when they dive for food in the deep waters. Their predators attack them once they cannot fly. Their migration patterns will also tend to be irregular as a result of that. Fish also perish as a consequence of their inability to get oxygen. The fish eggs cannot develop any further under these hostile conditions. Air circulation under water becomes hectic because of the wide film of oil that covers the surface of the water.
Measures to Apply
Several measures exist on how to deal with this environmental menace. The oil rigs that are under the water should be under constant surveillance. Caution is key when transporting oil through the various channels. Owners of oil companies should confirm that their products do not create harm to the surroundings. Some companies encourage their drivers to drive safely by offering bonuses to drivers who do so. Governments and oil companies also use bioremediation to handle spillages. This process involves the use of biological methods to handle oil spillage in water. It is less harmful to the environment as compared to partial combustion of spilt oil. The latter process causes air pollution by releasing smoke to the environment.
Effects of Politics on Risk Reduction
Reduction of the risks involves politicians too. They make the necessary legislation that ought to guide environmental management. At the same time, politicians are prone to conflict of interest. Some politicians are the principal shareholders of the companies that do engage in oil spillage. Such a person would naturally find it hard to make a genuine statement on environmental pollution. Corruption of political leaders is also responsible for worsening issues. This happens when they receive bribes to act in favor of a given individual or organization. Politicization of environmental issues is a budding issue. This will mean that finding sincere and genuine politicians will be an uphill task. At the same time, gainful politics can encourage environmental awareness. This involves making codifications that people will strictly obey. Failure to obey the provisions should allow the authorities to take the most appropriate action.
Conclusion
Oil spillage is an act that ought to be condemned by all means. It not only deprives the environment of its aesthetic value, but it also affects plants and animals. Political will is necessary to make a breakthrough in environmental awareness. Law enforcement should be encouraged. Stringent measures can assist in controlling oil spillages.
Reference
Davidson, W. F., Lee, K., & NATO CCMS Workshop on Oil Spill Response. (2008). Oil spill response: A global perspective. Dordrecht: Springer.