The oil spill, if not stopped now, will stop gushing sometime in august when the pressure is taken off this particular well. I personally think it has destroyed the entire could ecosystem which could take years and years to rebuild. I also don't think there is or will ever be a full-proof plan to containing oil spills, but just preventing them is the key. Has it/or will it destroy the planet? No. I don't think it's the worst oil spill to date either.

As to who gave BP the permission, that would be MMS, Minerals Management service. Not only did they give them permission, they did so without giving BP the proper permits to do this as they did with dozens of other companies.

As for changing my way of life, I already have a tiny car which gets about 35 miles to the gallon.