In the search for oil under the sea, companies use a process known as seismic mapping, a technique in which deafening blasts of sound are shot onto the ocean floor. This process can have devastating repercussions on ocean life. The air gun blasts are so ear-piercingly loud they can destroy the hearing of any animal in its radius, effectively a death sentence for aquatic mammals who rely on echolocation to survive.

Still, use of seismic mapping makes finding oil easier, so many officials neither know nor care about the effect it has on wildlife.

In this video originally published by The Guardian, South Carolina congressman Joe Cunningham used an airhorn to make a point about seismic mapping. In the video, he interrupts a seismic-mapping apologist and member of the Trump Administration claiming seismic mapping had no effect on wildlife. Cunningham sounds the airhorn while the official is trying to speak, and after some back and forth, reveals that the sounds made by seismic mapping are 16,000 times louder than the airhorn that was so disruptive to the proceedings.

Sometimes actions speak louder than words. But in this case, an uproarious use of sound certainly got the point across.

Do you enjoy stories about people standing up for animals? Check out Animal Activists Sue to Stop Seismic-Mapping Companies Harming Marine Life! For more awesome Animal, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, don’t forget to subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter!

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