How to Help Support an Oil Spill Cleanup

Last Updated: November 29, 2021

Watching an oil spill unfold can be devastating. Because of the detrimental impact on the earth's precious oceans and wildlife, it's completely understandable that you would want to find ways to help. Thankfully, there are many ways you can support the cleanup effort, no matter how far away you live from the spill. Read on for some ways you can show your support, from donating to getting politically involved.^{[1]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 8:
Donate to organizations helping with the cleanup.

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These organizations need funding to do their important work. Nonprofits like the Surfrider Foundation and Ocean Conservancy help minimize the damage brought on by oil spills and work towards preventing future spills. To show your support and get involved, donate if you can.
- The Surfrider Foundation provides help and expertise when oil spills occur and fights to prevent new offshore drilling sites. Visit https://www.surfrider.org/ to learn more and donate.
- Ocean Conservancy is a nonprofit organization that helps develop environmental policies to protect the world's oceans and wildlife. To learn more and get involved, click https://oceanconservancy.org/.
- If you're not financially able to donate, try sharing the link to an organization on your social media profiles or talking about the organization with friends. You'll do your part by finding other people who can donate!
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Method 2

Method 2 of 8:
Support wildlife protection organizations in the area.

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Donating to these causes helps care for the animals affected by the spill. These organizations are staffed by professionals who've dedicated their lives to providing care and resources to vulnerable wildlife like birds. To make sure they have all the necessary medical resources they need, donate money to these organizations.^{[2]
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Research source} You also have the option to donate nitrile gloves, dish soap, and masks to help with the cleanup effort.
- Organizations like the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach provide support for the animals and wildlife affected by oil spills. Donate on their website at https://www.wwccoc.org/.
- The Pacific Marine Mammal Center is another nonprofit that rescues and rehabilitates wildlife affected by oil spills and other disasters. To donate and learn more, visit https://www.pacificmmc.org/.
- The National Wildlife Federation is a nonprofit organization that helps protect and conserve wildlife populations across the U.S., including animals affected by oil spills. To get involved with their work or donate, visit https://www.nwf.org/.
- You might not have the financial means to donate, and that's okay. Try sharing information on wildlife causes online to spread the word and encourage others to donate.

Method 3

Method 3 of 8:
Call if you see animals affected by the spill.

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First responders to the oil spill will likely set up a hotline. Picking up or saving the animal yourself is dangerous for you and the animal since the oil is hazardous. Calling a hotline ensures that a professional will safely remove the animal and take it to shelter.^{[3]
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- Currently, the Oiled Wildlife Care Network is activated to help animals affected by the Huntington Beach Oil Spill. Visit https://owcn.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ to learn more or call 1-877-UCD-OWCN if you're in the area and see wildlife in harm's way.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 8:
Stay away from the area if it's closed to the public.

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Upon the dawn of an oil spill, professionals need space to do their job. Staying out of the way allows people who are trained in spill response efforts to do everything they can to minimize the spill's impact. If you live in the area close to an oil spill, stay put and find other ways to show your support until you're allowed back on the site.
- It can be frustrating to see something as devastating as an oil spill and not be able to help at the site. Remind yourself that by staying away from the area, you're helping first responders do their job as effectively as possible.

Method 5

Method 5 of 8:
Help with cleanup efforts once volunteers are allowed on site.

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After the initial cleanup, professionals may welcome volunteers. To sign up, you'll likely be required to undergo training. Check online for volunteer opportunities, sign up when any become available, and attend any required training to do your part. Organizations like the Surfrider Foundation can direct you to beach cleanup days after an oil spill.
- To find out about opportunities to clean up after an oil spill, text “oilspill” to 51555. This will direct you to any open opportunities in partnership with the Surfrider Foundation.
- The job will likely involve cleaning up leftover debris and trash on the beach and other areas affected by the spill.
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Method 6

Method 6 of 8:
Get the word out about the issue online.

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Social media can be a helpful tool to spread awareness. To encourage more people to get involved in the cleanup effort, talk about the event on social media. You might try linking to a reputable news article so that your followers can learn more. Include a hashtag like #OilSpill (in the case of the recent one in Huntington Beach, try #HuntingtonBeachOilSpill) to reach as many people as possible.
- Share links to nonprofit organizations in the area so that your followers can donate and volunteer.
- Follow hashtags related to the disaster to stay as informed and up to date on a recent oil spill as possible.

Method 7

Method 7 of 8:
Contact your elected officials.

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This puts pressure on them to declare the spill a state of emergency. Declaring a state of emergency gives those working on the cleanup effort access to additional public resources they need. You can also use the opportunity to encourage your elected officials to support legislation that prevents future oil spills by limiting offshore drilling.^{[4]
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United States House of Representatives
Official site for the United States House of Representatives.
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- To contact your elected officials, visit https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative. There, you can find their name and contact information to send them an email.
- If you're not sure what to write, you might try searching online for an email script. Progressive organizations often provide helpful email scripts or suggestions for what to say in their calls to action.
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Method 8

Method 8 of 8:
Vote for politicians who fight for environmental reform.

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Support politicians that fight against offshore drilling, specifically. Upon each election, research potential candidates and their environmental policies. If you find a candidate you support, talk publicly about their policies if you feel comfortable and vote for them in the next election. Though this might not directly support cleanup, it can help prevent future oil spills and environmental devastation.
- Many candidates will offer their specific positions on environmental reform on their websites.
- To further support environmentally progressive candidates, you might also try volunteering or donating to their campaigns.