A pipeline called the Nord Stream II pipeline was allegedly sabotaged just recently. This is the pipeline that was being constructed to deliver more gas to Europe from Russia.
Immediately, multiple theories emerged regarding which country did the deed.
But, not one story did I read initially asked the biggest question: what about the gas leaking into the world’s precious waters?
What about the damage to the waters and life of the Baltic Sea where the pipeline is located?
I can hear Kurt Vonnegut right now saying — “and so it goes…”
Every time I hear of another oil pipeline leak or spill anywhere in the world or an explosion of a pipeline, I immediately think of human destruction of the environment, first. I don’t even ponder who did it, or why, or which country, which imperial leader pulled this off. I don’t consider the cause right away.
I think first and foremost about the destruction of another ecosystem that could impact all of us — humans and all other life on earth in some manner.
Did President Biden make good on his statement to stop a Nord Stream II pipeline from becoming functional when Russia invaded Ukraine?
Did Vladimir Putin sabotage the pipeline to try to divert attention from the war?
Did some other organization do it to try to start a wider war?
Who cares for right now?
What about that all important water? What about the ocean life, the plant life, the fish life in the area?
For the record, the explosion of the pipeline occurred in the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea Conservation Foundation describes marine life as follows there:
“…The Baltic Sea is home to many popular species such as marine mammals (harbor porpoise, ringed seal, grey seal, harbor seal), fish (salmon, sea trout, eel, pike) and waterbirds, which reside there constantly (herring gull) or during winter (long-tailed duck, little tern)…Whales and dolphins not usually occurring in the Baltic Sea have been sighted as temporary guests on numerous occasions throughout time, a phenomenon that has been increasing in the last decade (this last development is mostly due to climate change).”
Today, a few outlets are finally covering the ecological issues, as if those are in the backseat on this ride. This is now three days later. The story has drifted some.
The Associated Press did a short story on the environmental issues today and some other outlets are running that story. I bet some environmental publications are doing it too. But, we really need the news outlets to lead with the environmental story first. I guess war sells much better, right?
However, if the world is to be forced daily to confront the issue of the environment (which it should), the media has to do its job and make the environment as important as geopolitics of the incident. Put the environment and sustainability at the top or get lost!
The issue of who blew up the pipeline is juvenile geopolitics anyway. Each of the countries is going to point the finger at the other for political leverage with their citizens.
However, who will speak for the environment and the other life on earth that help make our lives sustainable?
When will the corporate media become part of the solution and not co-conspirators in the problem of ecological destruction?
If they won’t cover stories that will help make life better on earth, ignore them. Don’t watch or listen, or read them.
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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