The Oil Spill: The Debate Begins

It’s been three months since America began to fight the worst oil spill in history. The first success in this titanic combat was obtained Thursday, with the 1,500 meter deep immersion of a giant, 75-ton stopper to seal off the flow of petroleum in the Gulf of Mexico.

There is no guarantee that the damaged well will withstand the pressure or that new leaks won’t occur. This aggravates the problem rather than resolving it. This uncertainty says a lot about the limits of modern technology when it is confronted by problems it created itself.

After weeks of hesitation, paralysis and recrimination, the federal government and BP have begun working together. The success currently chalked up to the giant stopper was the first result of this collaboration.

We must learn from this disaster. It is too early to know what disruptions will follow, but we can trust the Americans. A huge debate about the consequences of the oil spill is already beginning.