Research oil spills on the Internet. There are many online resources that can help you understand what oil spills are, their harmful effects on the environment, how they may be removed and how numerous private and government agencies around the world prepare for oil spills before they occur.
Go to your local public library, and research oil spills. You can learn about past and recent oil spills, such as the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico or Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska, as well as the history of oil and its uses. Look for books about oil spills in the environment or science section of the library.
Watch a documentary about oil spills. Check your local TV show listings, or purchase or rent a DVD about oil spills. The National Geographic Channel and the Discovery Channel offer several documentaries about oil spills.