magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

...my diesel Land Rover, would they take the oil rig out of Swanage Bay? Its actually only an exploration drill rig (or so they say) and will be gone by the end of the month....don't hold your breath! It does however give something to focus on for a while (and I do like the Land Rover).

Yesterday Evening Dog Walk

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This Morning's Sunrise

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Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Hand of (greedy) man, said simply and effectively.

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

Driving to our summer cottage from Chicago, I would take the way past the steel mills, and tell the kids again: because of that, we have the convenience of driving. Same for the oil rigs. The energy they provide makes life for all of us better, especially the poor.

I am of course glad that we recognize that danger exists from fossil fuels, and are working towards solving the energy problem and dealing with climate change.

Your shots catch two interesting ways of seeing the rig.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks Linda.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Only last year, locals fought-off plans to place a wind farm out in the bay. There was no option for a fight with this rig though, the government had simply given permission, as it’s only temporary. Whether they get a permanent rig remains to be seen. The oil company says if they find the prospect as fruitful as they suspect, they will extract via a well they already have onshore.
My photos are intended to show my split feelings over the issue. Since it’s arrival I have found it impossible to resist taking photos every time I see it!
Your comments are very relevant Bob. Quite a conundrum we’ve created for ourselves. Thanks for commenting.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

First the photographs. No. 1 snapshot. No. 2 great editorial image. I would crop out the ship on the horizon to focus even more on the oil platform. Personal choice.

Second the editorial. I'm old enough to remember clean water, clean air, pristine forests and beaches. I also remember LA smog, large clouds of red nitrous oxides rolling out across Lake Michigan and sometime across Gary Indiana emitted from the steel mills. In 1969 the Cuyahoga River in Ohio caught fire.

In the simplest terms: With the coming of the environmental movement in the 70's, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act RCRA in 1976 addressed hazardous waste treatment and disposal for the first time and enabled the EPA. Clean Air and Clean Water Acts mostly solved flammable rivers and LA smog.

I believe now the issue is not a conundrum but an issue of what we are willing to give up to get what we want and how long we are willing to wait to get it: Large diesel SUVs; disposable plastic water bottles; private jets, etc. etc., etc. If you want these things you must be willing to trade something for them. That trade may include an oil rig on the horizon, a windmill farm or a nuclear reactor in your backyard until such time as advancing technology renders them obsolete like wood fired steam boilers.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. The first shot is meant to show the proximity of the rig to dear old Swanage, a seaside resort popular ever since the Victorian branch railway first started bringing the summer hordes. The Isle of Purbeck, upon which Swanage sits, already has several oil wells but all one sees is a ‘nodding donkey’ quietly doing its thing. The rig is more of a shock to the system and looks rather incongruous to some eyes. As you say, there’s a trade-off to be accepted for our modern conveniences.
Your description of the action taken to clean-up the environment in your country reads in a similar fashion to our own, but I don’t imagine any Brit Prime Minister being brave/fool-hardy (delete to taste) enough give thousands of coal miners their jobs back!
At our age we may be too old to find out where it all ends up, but we can still wonder.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

All I want to say is remember Louisiana, Gulf of Mexico, BP Oil and Deep Water Horizon!!

Don

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I wouldn't give up my 1960 Series II Petrol for anything.
--Bob

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

Benefits contrasted with cost to the whole human race? Do we stop using cars because they sometimes kill people?

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Your response is slightly over my head but I’m guessing these were oil disasters Don?
We’ve had our share too, but we all carry on using the stuff like there’s no tomorrow. Very human.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Now I like a man that knows where he stands Bob! Long live LR - although they’re making 4500 people redundant over here! Still, they’re also developing the all-electric LR.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Not that I’ve noticed Bob.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Yes it was. Due to BP's cutting corners and not doing a full cement test on the well it resulted in a blow out. Flow of oil went unchecked for about a month. Millions upon millions of gallons of oil poured into the Gulf of Mexico. There was about 8 people killed in the blow out.
I am not against drilling but DO NOT skirt the safety regulations.

If you get it I recommend that you see the movie "Deep Water Horizon". Shows what greed can do.

Don

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

I’ll have a look for it Don.