Oil is a highly desired substance in recent times, but it is highly lethal to animals, land and water.
A Venezuelan oil ship - the "Narabima" - in the Caribbean holding over 50 million tonnes of crude oil has been recently tilted dangerously to its side, threatening the rich wildlife and biodiversity in the surrounding ocean and land. The ship holds crude oil for an Italian energy company in cooperation with a local Venezuelan company.
50 million tonnes of oil leaking into the ocean would be devastating to the climate and the Caribbean in general. The spill would be 10 times worse than the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 - when 11 million tonnes of oil leaked and still affects the area 30 years later.
When oil spills, the chemicals within it combine with the water to create a "mousse", which sticks to organisms and wildlife. The mixture is hard to clean and retains no value of what the oil once had. It also heavily affects the animals, as it can break down fur, cause stomach lining damage and breathing issues for the sea creatures.
Many people have been petitioning for the ship to be righted after government officials have announced there was "no imminent danger" and it was at "minimum risk of an oil spill". However, activists say differently after seeing a video posted by Gary Aboud, the Corporate Secretary of the organisation Fishermen and Friends of the Sea. The video showed the ship tilted, with only anchors to hold it down. Many fear that the extreme weather could bring the anchors away, and cause the ship to topple.
Written by Charlie Addie
Artwork by Sophia Patterson
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