Gulf Oil Spill: The Business of Energy and Oily Birds

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico captivated the world during the summer of 2010, and people everywhere tracked the oil as it threatened endangered marshlands and wildlife. In addition to the initial loss of life, the spread of oil threatened the livelihoods of thousands of coastal dwellers. The spill itself, and the response that followed, provide a profound teaching moment for students. Behind the Headlines’ Gulf Oil Spill: The Business of Energy and Oily Birds brings into sharp relief the tension between the seemingly bottomless need for oil, and the risky business of extracting and processing oil, including: the balance of the environment and the economy, the role of oil in our society, the science behind oil extraction and oil cleanup, and the fragility of certain environments and species.