By now, most of us have heard about the Norfolk Southern train that crashed in East Palestine, Ohio while it was carrying toxic chemicals. Residents in the area are rightly concerned that their air, water, and soil could have been poisoned as a result of the crash.
It turns out, they're not the only ones who should be concerned. Authorities have now revealed that approximately
43,700 animals died because of the hazardous materials involved in this derailment.
Sign the petition to demand a full and thorough cleanup of the waterways these animals called home!Officials originally estimated that around 3,500 animals had been killed, but after conducting a more thorough investigation, they realized that number was closer to 45,000 animals. And this only accounts for animals that were within a 5-mile radius of the catastrophe!
All of the 43,700 creatures that were killed due to this calamity were aquatic, including many species of fish.
There's a high likelihood that this is going to throw local ecosystems wildly out of balance! Poisoned dead fish means fish-eating species will be left without food. They won't be able to breed or migrate. They won't be able to play their part in the vital food chain that maintains healthy biodiversity.
The government has already required the rail company involved, Norfolk Southern, to pay the costs of all environmental clean-up associated with its toxic disaster. However, we must ensure it actually follows through, and to the highest standard! All too often, corporations find a way to delay, avoid, half-ass the job, or shirk such duties entirely.
Sign the petition to tell the Norfolk Southern company: we will be watching! Conduct a thorough cleanup of your environmental hazards - now!