A recent report from Oceana reveals that the extent of oil pollution in UK waters from the fossil fuel industry has been significantly underestimated, posing risks to marine wildlife. The organization highlights that chronic oil discharges, defined as frequent small-scale releases, are much higher than previously thought due to a lack of transparency in reporting systems. Companies are required to report both accidental spills and intentional discharges of produced water, which can contain harmful substances. However, breaches of permitted discharge levels are reported separately, resulting in underreporting. Oceana estimates that combining these factors could lead to a 43% increase in recorded oil pollution over the past decade.
The findings raise concerns about regulatory oversight, as only 15% of oil and gas installations were inspected in 2023, a decrease from the previous year. With a small number of companies responsible for the majority of spills, the report calls for enhanced inspections and stricter enforcement measures. Addressing these issues is essential for safeguarding marine ecosystems and ensuring accountability within the fossil fuel industry.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/sep/26/oil-pollution-in-uk-waters-far-worse-than-reported-says-conservation-group
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stricter enforcement measures of addressing these issues are essential for safeguarding marine ecosystems and ensuring accountability within the fossil fuel industry.
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The situation calls for a review of current legislation surrounding oil spill reporting and response to ensure better protection for marine environments
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There must be stronger oversight, increased transparency, and robust enforcement to ensure that oil spills are properly reported and mitigated.
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@grace_njeri_804 Addressing these areas is crucial to protecting marine ecosystems and ensuring that oil spills are effectively reported and managed.
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the government needs to address this matter before more damages happen
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this is unacceptable.
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@tabitha_kimani exactly