Third graders at Union City’s Woodrow Wilson School are mad as heck, and it’s not over spilled milk. They’ve been writing letters about the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which began April 20 after a British Petroleum (BP) rig exploded, causing devastating effects on wildlife and industry in that region.
“Originally I just wanted to get them thinking about BP and the oil spill,” said Maryellen Rosa, a third grade teacher at the school, last week. “But the letters were so good we decided to send them to BP.”
“The ocean is part of Mother Nature and the oil spill is polluting it,” wrote third-grader Angie Winston in her letter. She added that she is “sad, worried, and infuriated” about the spill.
Aldo Texcucano said in his letter that he is concerned because animals are dying as a result of the spill.
“I think some people don’t care because they say ‘Oh, it’s happening somewhere else.’ ” – Erica Perez
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Paulina Subia had another concern for the people in the Gulf region – with oil washing up on shores, they won’t be able to enjoy the beach.
And Olivia Parani said, “I think they should be more worried about the oil. Because it’s going to make the ocean really bad.”
Rosa said she asked the students to write the letters for homework. She also challenged them to think about whom they would appeal to about the oil spill, and about ways they could help the situation themselves.
“This makes me think about what I want to do when I grow up,” said Adam Ocasio, who has written letters to President Obama about the issue. “I want to be the owner of BP, because if I help BP and do everything right, I can make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Erica Perez thought Americans were apathetic about the issue. “I think some people don’t care because they say ‘oh, it’s happening somewhere else,’ ” she said.
But Angie Tamayo said that she feels that most people in the United States are worried about the situation, because they are somehow affected by it.
What would you do to conserve energy?
All of the students had creative ideas about what they could do to help save energy.
In her letter, Alejandra Chavez said she can use the “swirly light bulbs” to save energy and shut off things that she is not using.
Adelins Maldonado suggested that big families carpool instead of taking multiple cars. Isaiah Prosper said kids can pitch in by taking their bike, scooter, or skateboard to the store or park.
But some didn’t stop at that – they have been trying to figure out ways to have their whole family pitch in on the effort.
Stephanie Caballero has told her parents they shouldn’t leave the lights or leave the TV on for the dog when they’re not home, and they’ve been listening.
Others had bigger plans, such as Robert Belibrov, who is hoping his dad will build a windmill in the backyard this summer.
High hopes, but backup plans too
Most of the students have faith that their requests will be heard by the BP execs.
“I think they’re going to try and make new materials to fix the oil spill,” said Erica.
But some worry that if the executives don’t heed the students’ warnings, things could get worse.
“The oil could spread more and could go north,” said Mazzarine Barboza. “It could make more problems.”
If they execs don’t listen, the students are ready with their next action plan – something Adam said BP does not seem to have.
“They should have come up with a backup plan,” he said. “Or have a giant vacuum to suck up the oil.”
Aliciana Fite said that everyone in the United States should try hard to save electricity and help the animals get out.
Alejandra is hoping that people will stop buying oil altogether and start looking to different energy sources.
Anan Islam is hoping that Ms. Rosa will let the students go on a field trip to the Gulf of Mexico to lead a protest march.
Changing the world
The students said they are going to try to change the world and prevent such disasters for the rest of their lives.
Many, like future BP exec Adam, are taking stock of their career options.
Anan wants to be a mechanical engineer one day to build a huge contraption that would prevent disastrous nautical accidents. Ngone hopes to be a scientist to figure out ways to clean up and ultimately prevent oil spills. Paulina wants to be a doctor to help the people affected, and Adelins wants to be a vet to help injured animals.
Both Aldo and his fellow classmate, Laura Perez, said they want to be reporters so that they can see problems firsthand and share the news with others.
“If you help the world,” said Adam, “the world helps you.”
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.