Summary

Well obviously oil has been a massive factor in the development of our blog, the BP oil spill was a massive event that occurred in the middle of our coverage. This environmental disaster was unprecedented so it was interesting to witness how the media had to conform to an undefined set of standards to report such an event. Of course being so close to the oil sands we have been bombarded with stories advising us of the degrading to environment, yet it was interesting to see how the view of the oil sands had developed in the states. The only time that the oil sands were relevant in the states, with the exception of James Cameron's tour, was when there was some sort of development deal or merger that included the United States. The fact that there was a second oil spill in the Philippines which only got about a days attention from news outlets really made an impression as how news had to conform to a standard implied by the audience. Overall because we covered mainly one story (the BP oil spill) we were able to see how trends in news was formed, which will impress upon our own stories in the future.

BP Sued by Ecuadorian Environmentalists

Environmentalists filed a lawsuit in Ecuador against BP. The suit filed is for “violating the rights of Nature” and "harming the ocean." Much of the 4 million barrels spilled during the Gulf of Mexico oil spill remains at the bottom of the gulf

Erika Recarro - News
Washington Post Article Over BP Suit  

An (un)finished project

A NY Times article that focuses on those responsible for the gulf oil spill. It outlines that safety was traded for profit as the rig was unfinished, over budget, and 38 days behind schedule. The article aims to inform the reader that the event was a result of bad decisions by BP, Halliburton and Transocean. More investigations will need to be completed to determine individuals responsible

Vern McGill - Opinion
NY Times Article of Oil Profit 

Compenstating the long term losses

This NY Times article discusses the compensation program instated by Kenneth Feinberg of BP Oil for the victims of the gulf oil spill. The article claims Feinberg's new operation is an improvement over the previous compensatory program. Criticism from Alabama is outlined in this article, praising Feinberg's history in compensation, having lead the 9/11 compensation fund

Vern McGill - Opinion
NY Times of BP Victims

Coral Indicates a Catastrophic Event

Deep sea coral found near the site of the Gulf Oil Spill has been found to be either dead or dying. Researchers found the coral to be covered in a "black, fluffy-like substance" which fell off as samples were taken. Scientists continue to speculate that the oil is not degrading, and is having unseen effects on marine life.
Arielle Berze - News
National Geographic's Biological Findings

Health of the Gulf

As winter approaches, birds are beginning their migratory routes south - to the Gulf of Mexico. Researchers have been concerned with the overall health of the ecosystem, including populations of resident and migratory bird populations. Volunteers are helping researchers to count the incoming birds in the Gulf.
Arielle Berze - News
National Geographic Video Profile of Gulf

BP Out of the Red

An article from BBC online discussed BP's announcement that they had begun to make a profit again, despite their record losses from April to June. The article discusses the replacement chief executive and the transition to his takeover. This article provides numbers and figures regarding BP's monetary losses and gains, and provides validity of their sources.
Vern McGill - Opinion
BBC Article on BP Profits

Outrage Under Macondo

In the latest outrage regarding the BP spill, reports regarding the flawed cement used in the Macondo well arose that stated BP knew the cement mixture was prone to failure. The company hired by BP, Halliburton, conducted three tests on the mixture, finding it unstable each time. This article covered the new report from the presidential commission investigation, published in the NY Times.
Vern McGill - Opinion
NY Times Article of Recent Outrage

Six Months and Counting

The sixth-month anniversary of the BP Oil spill slipped past most media late October, though many of the damages are still causing grief to the wildlife and environment. This article wraps up the past six months, the legalities, the damages, and what still needs to be done. Written in the NY Times, this article is a credible editorial that concentrates on bills being passed and progress in the Senate.
Vern McGill - Opinion
NY Times Anniversary Story

Cemented Theory of Destruction

 “Cement evidence” has been found. The cement mixture used to plug the Deepwater Horizon oil well contributed, among many other faults, to the disaster. Tests are currently being done on the blowout preventer, which may have also contributed to the cause of the accident. 
Erika Recarro - News
Chronicle's Incident Report

Turtle Release Despite Claims of Weathered Oil

32 turtles have been released south of Grand Isle, LA. after being treated for oil exposure from the Gulf Oil Spill. New concerns of weathered oil have been raised following the release, but the National Coast Guard believes these sightings to be red algae bloom.
Arielle Berze - News
Examiner Article of Released Turtles

Vessel Leaking in Pagudpud Bay

An oil spill from a marooned North American Vessel is posing a threat to ecotourism and wildlife in Pagudpud Bay, Philippines. Valente (of the Environmental Management Bureau) said that the oil slick might reach resort areas. The leak has been reported to have spread at least throughout a  400-meter radius. Erika Recarro - News Philippines Inquirer Article of Leaking Vessel

230 Ducks Euthanized...Again

There has been another landing by ducks in Alberta Oil Sand’s tailing ponds. It is apparent that the company did everything possible to prevent the deaths, and it is believed that the ducks were forced from the sky by freezing rain.
Kammryn Dancy - News
CTV Article Concerning Euthanized Ducks

Canada criticized for "Business as Usual" approach to BP Oil Spill, Six Months Later

Six months after the Gulf of New Mexico's oil disaster, Canada is being harshly criticized for not having stricter regulations and monitoring of offshore oil wells. This article subtly attacks Canada's government, and is particularly interesting as oil is a very Conservative in nature. Considering this, the majority of offshore wells is on the east coast, where Conservatives have a lesser share in voter stakes than the west side of Canada.

Mike Blais - Analysis

Vancouver Sun's Article of Current Conditions

James Cameron in Alberta's Oil Sands

James Cameron's visit to Alberta's economic super centres has been one of the most widely-covered celebrity visits in Alberta's recent history. Most interesting is the way which individual media centres slanted Cameron's visit based on the media's views. In particular, Macleans is very harsh on Cameron's critique of the oil sands. When examined, the article shows a "this is what Cameron thinks of the oil sands, this is what the oil companies are doing to show him he's wrong, how do you like that, James Cameron?" structure, playing him off as someone who assumed one thing and is perhaps misguided in his views.
Mike Blais - Analysis
Macleans Article on Cameron's Visit

New Oil And Gas Regulations Take Effect Today

News of updated regulations on the oil and gas industry quickly spread though the media today. Chief among these regulations are stricter environmental controls and guideline. Despite this article being printed in a widely distributed paper across Canada, it is interesting to note that the articles themselves are barely more than blog postings. In a media environment where any news about the BP oil spills still receives an article of substantial length, it is interesting to note the shallow depth in which this news is covered.
Mike Blais - Analysis
Vancouver Sun Article of Regulation

BP's Economic Implications

Approximately six months after the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig, CBC outlines the effects on the economy, and fish and wildlife. CBC also summarizes the timeline of the oil spill as well as the clean-up which occurred in the last six months.

Erika Recarro - News

CBC Article of BP Economic Effects

Big Spending On Anti-Oil

Contributions to anti-oil foundations have increased in recent years, and are getting some big backers. As reported by Vivian Krause, one foundation, Tides U.S., has single handedly funded 36 anti oil movements. Yet there is no real knowledge existing about the company, and its validity is questioned in the article with plentiful states.

Kammryn Dancy - Analysis
Montreal Gazette Report of Charitable Foundations

Gulf for the Future

Ray Mabus, US Navy secretary, was asked by President Obama to design a strategy to restore the ecosystem of the Gulf that goes beyond the BP spill. Two main recommendations are cooperation by Congress to create a recovery council, and to ensure the penalties owed by BP and others are invested in this recovery project. Editorial from the NY Times that praises Mabus' plan.
Vern McGill - Opinion
NY Times Article of Suggested Oil Spill Measures

City and Colour to record a song inspired by the Gulf Oil Spill

Dallas Green from City and Colour has recorded a new song, At the Bird’s Foot, which commemorates the eleven men who died in the Gulf Oil Spill. The song will be recorded as a compilation album, with proceeds going to help those affected by the spill.
Arielle Berze - News

CBC Article of the Dedicated Song

Alberta Oilsands Highlighted In American Senate Bill

Recent measures were drafted by the American Senate which would largely swing America's source of oil towards the Alberta Oil Sands. This recent move was said to be work comparable to an "industrial ballet" as quoted by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.

Kammryn Dancy - News

Vancouver Sun Article of American Senate Bill

BP OIl Spill Procedure Heavily Questioned

Last May, President Obama commissioned a study to determine the cause of the BP Oil spill, and to discuss safer drilling. The study gave the impression that the government was not fully competent to handle the spill. This opinion piece gives a sharp critique over the study and outcry from the public, written in the NY Times Editorial section.
Vern McGill - Opinion
New York Times Article of Obama Interpretation of Spill Response

Industry Suffering Along Gulf Coast

Seafood industries have suffered greatly since the Deep Horizon Oil Spill. However, despite many competitors going out of business effects the oil spill had on the taste and quality of sea food, one is making a comeback. Motivatit Seafoods is selling their products wholesale, now that their products have been tested clean of hydrocarbons. 

Arielle Berze - News
Sun Times Article Portraying Gulf Fishing Industries

BP Releases Findings in Regards to BP Oil Spill

BP released a report last month about the failures that occurred, and in turn caused the fire and oil spill. The report includes findings of a deficient barrier which allowed hydrocarbons to escape, “negative pressure tests,” and systems which allowed gas to travel in the engine rooms, causing the fire. Another major failure was that the blowout preventer was unsuccessful in “sealing the well.”
Erika Recarro - News
Safety Article of Horizon Oil Spill

Experts Make Prediction On Gulf Rebound

The BP oil spill is commonly believed to have devastated the ecosystem of the Gulf of Mexico. However, experts say that most of the oil in the Gulf will biodegrade with the help of microbes, which use the oil as food. Despite this, wetlands and wildlife will most likely suffer adverse affects. If the oil has penetrated the roots, it will reach open water and destroy wetland areas. Depending on species and lifespan, wildlife may recover in 1 - 20 years. 
Arielle Berze
BBC Article of Gulf Rehabilitation

Personnel Announced for Oil Sands Review

The Canadian Federal Government has announced the scientists which are to undertake a review of the Alberta oil sands water quality. This review is an independent review which was announced by the Alberta Government who's own review panel has not been announced. The six person panel is to consist of Dr. Peter J. Dillon, Dr. Subhasis Ghoshal, Dr. Andrew D. Miall, Dr. Joseph Rasmussen and Dr. John P. Smol the panel is to be chaired by Elizabeth Dowdeswell. The panel will review sixty days and post their findings afterwards for public viewing.
Kammryn Dancy
Digital Journal's Story of Review Panel

Global Warming: Jokes and jobs.

Thomas L. Friedmans NY Times article, titled “Aren't We Clever”, comments on the contrasting viewpoints of America and China regarding global warming. He critiques the American viewpoint that global warming is a “joke”, while praising the Chinese enthusiasm as they create more jobs to further “green” the country. Friedman is an acclaimed NY Times journalist and a multi-Pulitzer award winner, adding to the credibility of his article.
Vern McGill
NY Times Article of Public Perception of Global Warming

No 'Dead Zones' Along Coastal Waters Near BP Oil Spill

According to an International Business Times Staff Reporter, there are no hypoxic or "dead zones" along the coastal water affected by the BP oil spill. This was concluded from a recent report released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA), which compared the current oxygen levels to those scientifically accepted. With the conclusion from the NOAA, the lack of hypoxia is largely accepted reality; yet the report stresses that the effect of the hydrocarbons released into the ecosystem was not addressed.
Kammryn Dancy
International Business Times Report Of No 'Dead Zones' on Coast

BP Ends the Leaking of Oil Into the Gulf of Mexico

The Macondo Well oil spill, which erupted in early April 2010, has been successfully stopped by a cement plug placed by BP. Officials are optimistic that the plug will hold, and that the oil spill no longer poses a threat to the Gulf of Mexico at present, according to Adm. Allen. Although oil is no longer leaking into the gulf, the effects of the oil on wildlife are yet to be seen.
Erika Recarro
BBC Article Regrading the End of Spilling Oil

Obama Administration to Quantify Devastation of BP Oil Spill

This article, published in the NY Times, discusses Obama's administration’s long awaited measures to calculate the amount of oil spilled by BP in the Gulf of Mexico. Although supporting the study, the author belittles the government’s credibility, recollecting on prior American media deceptions for oil spills. Despite these incidences, the author continues to recognize the credibility of the scientists and marine biologists involved. The author demonstrates a clear understanding of the political and scientific situations involved.
Vern McGill
NY Times Article Science and the Gulf

Alberta to Review Oil Sands Water Quality Report

On September 24, the Alberta Government initiated an independent review of a recent report pertaining to water quality in the Athabasca watershed, which relieves itself into the Athabasca River. This explored the findings recently published by the University of Alberta which investigated the level of contaminants within the watershed. The committee to review the findings will be chosen from a list of Alberta Environmental Scientists provided by David Schindler, head of the original studies done by the University of Alberta.
Kammryn Dancy
Oil Sands Review Announced in Financial Times