Center for a New American Security

Controlled burns in the Gulf of Mexico send plumes of smoke into the sky. According to the Department of Defense, "controlled burns were set to reduce the amount of oil in the water following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill."

Yesterday, President Obama - in his first press conference since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill began - reiterated the federal government's commitment to leading the response effort in the Gulf Region. But he also used the press conference to remind American's of broader, long-term considerations that this disaster – the worst oil spill in U.S. history, estimated to be four times worse than the Exxon Valdez incident – brings to the fore. "More than anything else, this economic and environmental tragedy – and it’s a tragedy – underscores the urgent need for this nation to develop clean, renewable sources of energy," the president said. "Doing so will not only reduce threats to our environment, it will create a new, homegrown, American industry that can lead to countless new businesses and new jobs."

Photo: Courtesy of Chief Petty Officer John Kepsimelis, U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Defense.