OK, just thought we should have a spot to list whatever crazy (or even realistic) ideas we might have (or have read about) to help the Gulf.
Some of mine:
CURRENT
"Noah's Ark":
Have local and biologists quickly identify a few areas that can be completely cut off, i.e. cement levis -- no berm junk. Some shall simply be left. Others shall be "managed" similar to "aquaculture" systems (oxeygenated, temperature regulated, etc.) This won't save much, but might save a few more remnants that can then be used later to repopulate the Gulf.
Take coral samples to some of the best aquariums in the country. Give them immediate funding and materials to expand as much as possible as quickly as possible to, again, to preserve a few species that might not otherwise survive.
Stop the disbursant (already done?)
Mobilize more people, materials. This is a WAR, it needs to have the same priority as if we were physically attacked by another nation. The damage is actually worse than if we were simply bombed -- far, far worse. The response needs to match that.
FUTURE:
1. Set up an international system of response for marine issues like this. Regionally, there should be enough materials and personnel to manage/contain such an incident. This should be in place BEFORE any more activity is allowed, and should be funded by a world tax on all ocean operations with potential for causing damage. The amount should be utterly consistant with the potential damage. Funds should be kept in escrow in advance, with only a certain percentage subject to insurance and "future" payments. Any business not able to pay for these is not solvent enough to operate.
2. Revise the authorization procedure for not just offshore, but onshore activities. Far more attention needs to be paid to real and true impacts to natural systems. Pollute the water? Then you must be able to not just say "oops, I am sorry" and pay for a few bottles of water when people's water supplies are contaminated, you should have to actually clean up the mess. If you cannot -- work on it!
3. All hazardous operations need to provide all potentially impacted communities with real and true supplies and training needed to fight the potential damage. This should be funded by the company, not the individual companies unfortunate enough to be the neighbor.
4. Mandated monitoring of people, water, etc long after operations begin.
5. Require that companies conduct enough tests to essentially prove safety before they release things, rather than this "oops, we goofed" approach, where everything is considered essentially safe until proven otherwise (a few minor tests required of some things, but its very spotty and very basic). Testing absolutely must include testing of combinations of chemicals and other real-life "conditions", such as sun, heat, exposure to water, etc.
