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Long term impact of the Exxon Valdez disaster (audio)

Long term impact of the Exxon Valdez disaster (audio)
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Key Info
  • Long term impact of the Exxon Valdez disaster (audio)
  • Duration: 08:59
  • John Devens, mayor of Valdez, describes flying over the Exxon Valdez to view the oil slick. He says that they lacked the modern equipment to tackle such a huge spill. A storm broke up the spill and drove some of it into the Kenai Fjords National Park. Park Superintendent Anne Castellina describes the damage, the oil had covered the steep rock faces of the shore and sea otters and sea birds were killed by the thick oil. Local fishermen tried to tackle the spill themselves but struggled without proper equipment. Anne describes having to fight for better resources from the official clean-up operation - even at the expense of her own family. She describes the terrible stresses on the local community, rising crime, family break-ups and unemployment. The clean-up officially ended in 1992, but Anne says that you can still smell the oil in the water in places. This clip from ‘Witness’ is published on the World Service website: bbc.co.uk/programmes/p004t1hd and was first broadcast on 15 June 2010. Please note this is an audio clip and only available in Flash.
  • Subject:

    Citizenship and Modern Studies

       Topic:

    Environment and Sustainability

  • Keywords: environmental disaster, oil spill, oil slick, environment, Alaska, America, Exxon Valdez, oil, Witness
Ideas for use in class
  • Environmental responsibility and impact of modern life on the environment. To support study of policies and practices for sustainable development.
Background details
  • Clip language : English
  • Aspect ratio : 16x9
Video options
  • Location of Flash Video clip:

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