Try this at home...

Not sure if this works as well in South Africa as it does in the U.S. but try it. Click on the link below and see a very scary interactive graphic that puts into proportion the extent of the Gulf of Mexico oil 'spill' (don't I mean 'catastrophe'?)

If this was your home...
(Let me know what you see....)

After you get your breath back, drop down the page and read the text, including:

What Can You Do?
* Talk. First, share this map with your friends so they can understand the impact as well. Next, write to your Representatives and Senators and share your feelings about this disaster. (FROM SA POINT OF VIEW, LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT THE CONTAMINATION IN AREAS NEAR YOU... YOU CAN BE SURE THERE IS SOME AND YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT SORT SO YOU CAN PROTECT YOURSELF, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR WATER, FLORA, AND FAUNA!)
* Think. The EPA is soliciting ideas for possible technology solutions to aid in the oil spill response efforts. Submit your idea. You can also visit the clever inventors over at GulfClean.org and help them build their crowdsourced technology for oil cleanup.
* Volunteer. Lousiana and Florida are both looking for volunteers to help in cleanup and prevention. If you have a boat and live or work on the gulf coast, you can participate in the Vessels of Opportunity program where BP will pay you to take part in oil skimming operations.
* Donate The National Wildlife Foundation and International Bird Rescue are accepting donations for coastal relief. Matter of Trust is also collecting hair to be bundled into booms. Hair absorbs oil even better than the synthetic materials being used. You can find a participating hair salon or barbershop at their site. (NOT SURE THAT THIS IS ACCURATE.. I'VE HEARD THAT SALONS THAT HAVE COLLECTED HAIR HAVE HAD TO DISPOSE OF IT AS IT IS NO LONGER USED.)