Author Question: What happened in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2012, and what was the cause? The consequences? What ... (Read 38 times)

Evvie72 · **on:** Jul 15, 2018

What happened in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2012, and what was the cause? The consequences?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What are some characteristics of a sustainable economy?

What will be an ideal response?

smrerig · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 15, 2018

Answer to Question 1

In April of 2012 an oil rig accident led to a geyser of mud, oil, and gas that ignited and burned for days. The well then continued to leak oil onto the floor of the Gulf of Mexico for 87 days. The consequences may never be fully realized, but some of the consequences include the contamination of 600-plus miles of coastline, the killing of marine wildlife, the deposition of soot from the fires onto the water and land, and of course the dramatic economic impacts on local fisherman and tourism.

Answer to Question 2

Instead of merely promoting economic growth, a sustainable economy would emphasize improving human well-being. It would value and preserve natural services and goods. It would promote green goods and services. Goods would be made more durable, more recyclable, or more reusable. More recycled materials would be used to produce goods. The production process would be as nonpolluting as possible. Services would try to use nonpolluting techniques such as using bio-solids from a waste treatment plant as fertilizer instead of sending them to a landfill. Overall, a sustainable economy would try to protect the environment as well as promote human well-being.