WAR ON MOTHER NATURE: Beneath The Waves - Haunting Photos From Scuba Divers Across The World Show DEVASTATING IMPACT Of Ocean Plastic!

© baretnewswire.org

March 5, 2016 - OCEAN - Science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke is once quoted saying, "How inappropriate to call this planet earth when it is quite clearly Ocean." Well, perhaps if it were called ocean, people would be a lot more concerned about what is happening to our marine environments, which are in terrible trouble.

According to NOAA, the world's oceans hold more than 97 percent of the planet's water and may be home to as much as 80 percent of the world's plant and animal species. Without our oceans, life as we know it would cease to exist. These vast bodies of water help regulate weather patterns, they absorb almost one-third of the carbon dioxide we emit, provide many people with vital sources of protein, and most importantly, nearly 70 percent of the oxygen in our atmosphere is produced by marine plants. Without healthy, thriving ocean ecosystems, we would be cooked!

Unfortunately, as we continue to dump more and more plastic into the oceans, this essential ecosystem is starting to collapse. Every year, around 8.8 million tons of plastic trash end up in the oceans. The majority of this trash ends up sinking to the bottom of the oceans or getting swept up in massive gyres, so it can be easy to overlook this problem from the vantage point of land. Scuba divers, who spend their time beneath the surface, however, are constantly faced with the reality of this plastic problem.

In an effort to bring the sights that these divers see and raise awareness for the sake of the oceans, the good folks at Project Aware have
launched a stunning photo campaign called, Beneath The Waves.

While it might just look like this is a mound of trash, this is actually a photo of a sea crab.

We have a tendency to think that when we throw out trash it just "goes away!" Well ... this is where "away" is.

Plants, animals, and trash all float in a tangled mass on the surface.

Many marine animals, some which have never even seen a human, are now finding themselves the victims of human behavior, many miles away.

Even creatures like coral, which are an essential nursery for ocean life, are coming under threat. This large piece was sliced off by a discarded fishing line.

It is estimated that around 700 marine species are in danger of extinction due to plastic pollution.

Lucky for those animals, these divers are here to help.

Discarded piles of rope and fishing nets like these are a hazard to aquatic life.

By working hard to clear out some of the trash accumulating on the ocean floor, the amazing people working with
Project Aware are making a difference, one trash bag at a time.

Hopefully, by documenting this problem and garnering clean up efforts, Project Aware will inspire others to help, in whatever way that they can. Cleaning up at your nearest river, lake or beach is a great way to help, but prevention is the best cure. - One Green Planet.

EUROPEAN VAMPIRISM: The Pervasively Savage War Raged Against Nature - Major ExxonMobil Oil Spill In United States; River Of Crude Oil 40 Miles From Arkansas Nuclear Plant At "Emergency Level 4"; Nearly 500,000 Gallons Spilled; Many Residents Unaware Pipeline Ran Under Their Homes; Ducks Near Arkansas Oil Spill Found Dead After Pipeline Rupture!

April 02, 2013 - UNITED STATES - ExxonMobil is continuing cleanup operations after an oil pipeline spilled thousands of barrels of Canadian crude in Arkansas. The spill has led many to speak out against oil sands exploitation and the construction of Keystone XL pipeline.

Spilled crude oil is seen in a drainage ditch near evacuated homes near Starlite Road in Mayflower, Arkansas March 31, 2013 (Reuters / Jacob Slaton)

Exxon's Pegasus pipeline – which can carry more than 90,000 barrels of Canadian Heavy crude oil per day from Patoka, Illinois, to Nederland, Texas – was shut down after the leak was discovered on Friday in a suburban area near the town of Mayflower, Arkansas.

Residents are shocked, frustrated and discouraged after the oil pipeline - which many were unaware existed - burst, devastating the small town by flooding its streets with thousands of barrels of Canadian crude. "The smell is quite horrendous both outside and inside our home. There is a strong smell of oil in our vehicles, as well," resident Chris Harrell told RT.

Twenty-two homes have been evacuated so far, and more are expected. "Excavation is necessary as part of an investigation to determine the cause of the incident," Exxon spokesperson Alan Jeffers told Reuters.

Spilled crude oil is seen running between houses in Mayflower, Arkansas March 31, 2013
(Reuters / Jacob Slaton)

The accident has left evacuated residents seeking shelter elsewhere. "Basically if it doesn't fit in our car we don't have it right now," local resident Ryan Senia said. He had previously listed his home for sale, but said the spill has forced him to take it off the market.  The spill totaled upwards of 10,000 barrels [420,000 gallons], according to an ExxonMobil press release. So far, about 12,000 barrels of oil and water have reportedly been recovered. The company has deployed 15 vacuum trucks, 33 storage tanks and 120 workers to the cleanup site."There are literally hundreds of cleanup crew people in our area...no one has a definite time frame on how long they will be here, but some people are saying months," Harrell said.

Emergency crews work to clean up an oil spill near Interstate 40 in Mayflower, Arkansas March 31, 2013
(Reuters / Jacob Slaton)

A 3,600-foot boom was also installed near Lake Conway, and an approximately 51-centimeter pipeline was shut down to prevent the spilled oil from reaching the water. So far, no oil has reached the lake. The cause of the spill is being investigated, and cleanup operations are being coordinated with the Department of Emergency Management and other local authorities. The Heavy Crude that the Pegasus Pipeline was carrying at the time needs to be blended with lighter oils or natural gas liquids in order to flow through, and some environmentalists suspect that this type of oil sand crude is more corrosive to pipelines. Exxon was fined in 2010 for not inspecting another portion of the Pegasus line with sufficient frequency.

Emergency crews work to clean up an oil spill near Interstate 40 in Mayflower, Arkansas March 31, 2013
(Reuters / Jacob Slaton)

Meanwhile, the community is anxious to see how the oil giant plans to handle the situation: "The major concern for many people in our neighborhood is the long-term impact, both environmentally and financially. For example, what is this going to do to our property values?" Harrell said. He added that many local residents are angry, and were not aware that the pipeline ran through the area. Richard Steiner, an environmental consultant for Oasis Earth, spoke with RT Monday to describe the ecological and possible political ramifications of the Arkansas oil spill. He blamed a lack of responsibility among US safety regulators who allowed the Pegasus pipeline to remain in operation for over 50 years.

"There’s no excuse whatsoever for oil pipelines to be anything over 30 years old,” he said. “Their general design life is maybe 20-30 years old. The federal administration within the Department of Transportation in the US – the pipeline and hazardous material safety administration – isn’t doing its job. Nor is industry. There’s a general complacency within industry and government that says, ‘Look, don’t worry we’ve got this. You should just be happy. We know how to do this work. Stay out of our business.’ But this happens time and time and time and again. It just goes to show you people make mistakes." Local media reported that journalists were barred from entering the site for over 30 hours following the disaster.

Mark McCaw @bigpicguy (via Twitter)

Keystone Pipeline
The leak comes amid growing opposition to the controversial Keystone XL project, which would see an oil pipeline run across the US Midwest. TransCanada Corp.'s plan to pipe Alberta oil sands to the US Gulf Coast has been met with criticism over the possible environmental impact. The project has been embroiled in ongoing controversy. Project supporters have worked to persuade the US to approve the $7-billion project, arguing that the Keystone XL would create thousands of new jobs and free the country from energy dependence on South American exporters such as Venezuela.

Though, according to Christopher Williams, an environmental activist and professor at Pace University who spoke with RT on Monday , Keystone has "nothing to do with reducing gasoline costs in the United States -- most of that oil is to be exported, it's not for US consumption. So, this is very much a bonanza for the oil companies, and a disaster for North Americans." Environmentalists have expressed concerns over the pollution risks inherent to the controversial tar sands method of oil production. Even the US State Department admits the Keystone project will create "numerous" and "substantial" impacts on the environment.

chris harrell @shiftymcfive01 (via Twitter)

Spilled crude oil is seen in a drainage ditch near Starlite Road in Mayflower, Arkansas March 31, 2013
(Reuters / Jacob Slaton)

In a March draft environmental impact statement, the US said that the Canadian synthetic crude oil the pipeline is slated to transport into the US produces 17 per cent more greenhouse gases than natural crude oil already refined there. It also said that the construction phase of the project would result in carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to about 626,000 passenger vehicles operating for one year.

The report also said the pipeline could disturb highly erodible soil, degrade streams, encroach on habitats of federally protected species, and be susceptible to potentially disastrous leaks and spills. But despite its environmental toll, the US says the Keystone pipeline it is still a better option than proposed alternatives which are “not reasonable.” President Barack Obama will have the final say on the project, which has been pending for more than four years, as environmental activists battle to kill it. - RT.

WATCH: Oil rivers flow through Arkansas after Exxon pipeline spill.

One Killed After Arkansas Nuclear One Accident.

THE COURIER / Joshua Mashon.

According to the Arkansas Department of Health, the nuclear reactor at Arkansas Nuclear One was not affected by the Sunday morning accident at the plant. The agency stated there is no immediate threat to the public in Pope, Johnson and Yell counties.  Entergy officials confirmed Sunday that one person was killed, and three others injured in an accident at Arkansas Nuclear One in Russellville, and that no nuclear material was released during the incident.  The release states the accident occurred around 7:45 a.m. when a generator stator fell while being moved out of a turbine building.  The injured workers were transported to a local hospital, officials said.  Entergy officials say both units are in a "stable shutdown condition" and there is no danger to the public.  At an early afternoon press conference, Arkansas Nuclear One and Arkansas Department of Health officials told the media there was no release of nuclear materials following the industrial accident at the plant. 

The area surrounding ANO was placed at emergency Level 4 because of the potential for local impact, but no call to evacuate was issued by the Arkansas Department of Health. Some evacuation signs were posted throughout the community today showing emergency evacuation routes.  Entergy officials said the reactor in Unit 2 is in a stable configuration.  An Arkansas Department of Health official categorized it has an industrial accident that did not involve any radiation or affect to the reactor.  Jeff Forbes, Executive VP and Chief Nuclear Officer, said, "We are deeply saddened by what has happened today. Out greatest sympathy is with the family and friends of the employee who lost his life and with those who sustained injuries. I also want to express my sorrow and support to all those who work at ANO. I know this is especially hard on them."  Read more: The Courier - Your Messenger for the River Valley - Officals No release of nuclear materials after ANO accident - Courier News.

Ducks Near Arkansas Oil Spill Found Dead After ExxonMobil Pipeline Rupture.

The environmental impacts of an oil spill in central Arkansas began to come into focus Monday as officials said a couple of dead ducks and 10 live oily birds were found after an ExxonMobil Corp. pipeline ruptured last week. "I'm an animal lover, a wildlife lover, as probably most of the people here are," Faulkner County Judge Allen Dodson told reporters. "We don't like to see that. No one does." Officials are urging people in Mayflower, a small city about 20 miles northwest of Little Rock, not to touch any injured or oiled animals as crews clean up Friday's spill.

An “oiled” duck recovered near the Bell Slough State Wildlife Management Area in Mayflower, Ark., is rescued Monday, April 1, 2013 and prepared to be taken to HAWK Center, a wildlife rehabilitation group assisting ExxonMobil after a pipeline ruptured and dumped several thousands of barrels of oil Friday. Cleanup of streams, wildlife and residential yards continues this week.
(AP Photo/Log Cabin Democrat, Courtney Spradlin)

About 12,000 barrels of oil and water have been recovered since ExxonMobil's Pegasus pipeline sprung a leak, spewing oil onto lawns and roadways and nearly fouling a nearby lake. Dodson said he expects a few more oily birds to turn up in the coming days. "I don't expect a great number of them," he said. "I'll be thoroughly disappointed if there are." Investigators are still working to determine what caused the spill, which led authorities to evacuate nearly two dozen homes in a subdivision.

It's not clear when residents will be able to return to their homes, but Dodson said it could be within days for some people.  "Our focus is to protect the community," said Karen Tyrone, vice president of operations for ExxonMobil Pipeline Co. "We have air monitoring going on seven days a week, 24 hours a day ... and to date, we have no indication that there's a health impact on the community."

Still, the air smells like oil, and area residents say it has for days.  "We live five miles out in the country and we've had the smell out there," Karen Lewis, 54, said outside a local grocery store. Its parking lot, like much of this small city, is teeming with cleanup crews and their trucks.  Meanwhile, in the neighborhood where the pipeline burst, workers in yellow suits waded in an oil-soaked lawn Monday as they tried to clean up part of the area where the spill began.  The pipeline that ruptured dates back to the 1940s, according to ExxonMobil, and is part of the Pegasus pipeline that carries crude oil from the Midwest to refineries in the Gulf of Mexico.  Exxon spokesman Charlie Engelmann said the oil is conventionally produced Canadian heavy crude.  "Crude oil is crude oil," Dodson said. "None of it is real good to touch." - Huffington Post.