Another Explosion Rocks the Gulf

An oil rig about 100 miles of the Louisiana coast exploded on Thursday. The rig, owned by Mariner Energy Inc., is west of the site of BP’s Deepwater Horizon. All 13 people aboard the rig where rescued, unharmed.

Firefighters are already on scene. The cause of the blast is still unknown.

An oil sheen about a mile wide was spotted near the platform.

The rig is in about 340 feet of water.

Source: SF Gate

BP Update

BP will begin removing the cap that is plugging the leak of its ruptured Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday. Officials say this must be done in order to replace the damaged blowout preventer. Once the preventer is replaced, the relief well can plug the leak for good.

Source: Reuters

Carjacked authors, Catherine Lutz and Anne Lutz Fernandez, spent one year researching the automobile and its effect on our lives. Instead of reaffirming the popular myth that the car is a blessing, they found that the automobile was actually more of a curse.

In fact, Americans spend so much time in their cars that it’s practically a part-time job. Lutz says that people spend an average of 18.5 hours a week in their cars, either as a passenger or driver. And traffic makes us cranky, gives us road rage, increases stress, and is a colossal waste of time.

Cars are also dangerous. Lutz says that a million people are injured every year in car crashes and there is a hidden nation of the car disabled. Some of the accidents result in spinal cord damage and other horrific, life-changing injuries.

And since car companies are the number one advertiser year in and year out, it’s hard to not be influenced by their messages says Fernandez. We can even be influenced to upgrade models before it’s needed.

So what can you do to reduce your dependence?

Keep a car diary says Fernandez. Seeing where you are going in the car and how often can help cut back on the trips that aren’t necessary.

Try public transit for a week. Most people shy away from the public option. However, it can be more productive, help save money, and reduce stress.

For more information on Carjacked: the culture of the automobile and its effect on our lives, visit carjacked.org.