by Dan Vermeer, Executive Director of EDGE
One of the more frustrating aspects of working the sustainability field is that every problem is mind-bogglingly complex, and can be framed at multiple levels. Take, for example, the heated debates and accusations about the causes and consequences of the Macondo well explosion in the Gulf of Mexico.
Some commentators argue that the explosion was the result of shoddy engineering, reckless decisions, or mismanagement from multiple contractors involved with the well’s operations. They stress that operating deep sea wells are generally safe, and that the Macondo disaster was an anomaly that should have been avoided, and can be fixed.
Others point out that the lack of proper regulation and/or effective enforcement allowed the for breakdowns and shortcuts that ultimately resulted in an accident. This diagnosis suggests a deeper, systemic problem, and calls mostly for regulatory reform.
Another strand of the conversation points to the fact that we are moving into an era of “extreme energy,” where conventional and easy-to-reach energy sources are largely depleted, forcing exploitation of inherently riskier sources. Indeed, our energy system is being transformed by our increasing reliance on deep sea drilling for oil, hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, and a host of other unconventional sources – and these will inevitably make accidents like Macondo more likely. Continue reading
