Blue Vision Summit: Perspectives from the Gulf

On the first day of the Blue Vision Summit, sea grant fellows heard many presentations providing environmental, socioeconomic, and regulatory perspectives on the Gulf of Mexico, one year after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.  Three things were made clear: First, that offshore oil and gas development will always be extremely complex; second, while this complexity may slow regulatory action, it does not erode the resolve of the people involved; and third, that some of the most divisive issues that make oil and gas so complicated will be the platforms for finding future solutions. 

It is no secret that the energy economy is a big deal these days.  So big, in fact, that I will not attempt articulating its importance, intricacies, and dilemmas.  However, I will argue that the fundamental reason that oil and gas is so controversial is because of its many entrenched, passionate, and obligatory stakeholders.  Industry, conservation organizations, federal regulators, resource managers, international politicians, and global economies have a lot to gain (or lose) in having a “seat at the table” in discussing development, production, and spill response.  There is also a large human component of all this.  Whether it is in the Gulf of Mexico or the Gulf of Alaska, there will always be livelihoods, precious ecosystems, and economic interests at stake. 

 

With these complicated and overlapping interests in mind, today’s presentations proved how many people are tackling energy issues from all angles.  We heard from: a film producer who will be launching a long-term campaign that will remind us of our love for the oceans through IMAX films; congressional committee staffers on how to demonstrate the link between nonextractive use values and jobs; and the future of renewable energy.  Panelists explained some of the challenges with a growing human population and the difficulties of bipartisan congressional attitudes, but also showed hope for future regulations and realigning economic incentives.   

All of these people working so hard to find solutions for controversial energy issues will have to think outside the box and find common ground with unlikely partnerships.  This will not be easy when touching on sensitive issues such as human safety, livelihoods, endangered species, gas prices, and the uncertainty surrounding the feasibility of renewable energy.  One of the biggest difficulties in moving forward is redirecting people’s fixation with past injustices to instead focus on overcoming the challenges ahead.  This was evident in the long line of people who stood behind the microphone to take their turn in hurling questions at the panelists reviewing last year’s oil response efforts.  All in all, a full day of discussions and new friends.

After a first great day, we are all eager to see what tomorrow’s presentations and panels will hold!