Lessons Learned: Gulf Coast Residents Travel to Alaska to About Exxon Valdez

There’s something in traveling to a place and listening to personal stories; at least that’s what we learned over our 10 days along the Gulf Coast.

Our friend Holly Pruett passed along this video and article produced by CNN, about a group of Gulf Coast residents traveling to Alaska to hear about personal experiences with the Exxon Valdez oil spill, an environmental catastrophe that’s still being felt today.

Some of what they hear is comforting: how far science has come, that they can learn from the Alaskans’ experience, how lucky they are that this time the president is not “an oil man.” But other comments only stoke their fears.

Even in their short visit, they will forge a kinship. And with those connections come promises of support, prayers for healing.

But there is no escaping reality. In one man’s story they will find a challenge to go where they may not yet be ready.

Read the whole article here.

Image: Johnny Shaw