If there isn't a "correlation" between global warming and emmisions then we have nothing to worry about. Point being, there IS and there is plenty to worry about.
"Katrina" does not exactly leave a message saying "hi there, i was caused by global warming". But the spate of extreme wether patterns over the past 10yrs is proof in itself. And im sure your not denying global warming.
And as far as the gulf is concerned, you say nature has "cleaned" almost all the oil in the sea. This is poppy cock!
Firstly a marine ecosystem cleans nothing it only dilutes it, moves it somewhere else, and deposits it.
It is fact that you can sample any open water system in the world and find traces of polluting oil. However small, its there. It doesn't go away, more so - it just goes everywhere.
Its not ok to put research into alt. feuls on hold just because the economy is in jeopardy. Finding alternative feuls is the solution to your problem. Think about it.
Surely you dont beleive what the oil giant is spewing. And who was it that told you most of it was cleaned up, can you source it?