As members of the Virginia Tech community, we learn about the importance of “Ut Prosim” (that I may serve), we learn about the values embodied in the Principles of Community, and we learn about our collective role in “Inventing the Future.”
As a member of the Tech community, it is heart breaking and frustrating to see the comedy of errors that is taking place in the Gulf of Mexico. Over a month has gone by and a pesky oil leak cannot be contained. Each attempt has failed to resolve the issue and reports indicate that it may be months before a solution is found. We are witnessing a disaster of untold proportions that will certainly impact each of us.
BP has tried a new solution each week, yet it seems that there is no backup or preparation for the next solution. While it is easy for me to speak from this perspective, the public needs more information as to how things are being handled.
With the wealth of top engineering schools in the United States, why can’t we find a viable solution that works?
It raises the question of what can our engineering students and faculty do to develop efforts to resolve the situation? In the 1960s when the United States faced the challenge of Sputnik and the space race with the Soviets, entities came together to help promote math and science education.
While not exactly the same, why don’t the engineering programs come together to explore options and alternatives to this crisis? Why not use the best and brightest young minds to come up with a solution?
We see different universities beginning to explore the impact on the marine life and the environment, only to get told by the government or BP officials that the impact is not that severe. The data that the schools are finding is valuable information and is providing an interesting picture.
As I write this from abroad, if we as a country can’t successfully plug up an oil leak, how can we come together to resolve major issues? How will we handle the next disaster?
While it is true that nature has a way of healing itself, the damage of this effort will be painful in many different levels, and will impact all of us on some level, whether now, in the near future, or beyond.
Imagine if this oil leak were happening in the middle of New York City (like in a sci-fi movie), with oil oozing out of Times Square and creeping into Central Park. Trains could not run as the lines are filled with oil. People would have to be evacuated because of toxic fumes and the fear of fires. Would we be reacting as slow or as fast?
In the aftermath of the January earthquake in Haiti, a number of groups including Tech came together top develop ways to help make a difference. Why is the Gulf oil spill no different?
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Hokies United organized fundraising efforts and community service trips to help those communities. These efforts continue to this day as some parishes in New Orleans and the surrounding communities are still recovering.
What can we as a Tech community do to help with the Gulf oil spill? Could members of the Pamplin College of Business look at ways to develop economic strategies for the Gulf with this new reality? Could members of the College of Natural Resources and Science look at the environmental aspects? Could those in hospitality and tourism management look at the tourist components, as this area’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism? Could we use our networks with other universities to make an impact or address an issue?
I use these examples to show that there are a number of ways that our Tech community can help make a difference with the situation taking place in the Gulf of Mexico. Let’s not be afraid to come together and begin to talk about this.
Can we as a community afford to idly sit by while this happens? If we are focused on inventing the future, what will our future look like if the oil spill continues?
