The BP oil disaster is by far considered by many as the worst environmental crisis to have ever occurred in the United States marine environment history. The crisis resulted in over 150 million gallons of the oil spill and lasted for about three months before BP oil company, government, and other stakeholders handled the situation. Several chain reactions lead to the disaster, although the leading cause was due to a failed blowout protector, which allowed a gas pulse to reach the drill rig causing an explosion. This paper explains the various stakeholders affected by the disaster and the environmental cost incurred during and after the disaster. The paper also includes a personal opinion on the various bodies responsible for preventing a disaster and the lessons learned after the oil disaster.
The BP oil spill resulted in both economic and environmental losses. Following the oil spill, the main stakeholders affected were the surrounding workers of the Deep Horizon oil rig, environments, wildlife, the gulf fishing sector, the oil industry investors, and tourist-driven businesses and communities. According to the coast guard rescue reports, after the explosion of the oil rig, 11 workers were presumed dead. Additionally, more studies on the effects of the oil spill showed that the oil spill affected over 1000 miles of the gulf waters. As a result, the vegetation in and around the affected areas suffered eradication as the spill affected their root systems. Furthermore, the tourist sector also incurred significant losses as white sandy beaches were covered with crude oil causing a drop in tourists visiting such sites. Additionally, the oil industry lost over 200 million gallons that spilled into the sea, causing a decrease in oil production levels in the oil sector.
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The environment was the most affected of all the stakeholders. During and after the spill, various organisms and structures in the environment experienced immense losses. Some of the environmental costs incurred were about 20 species of marine wildlife, including 14 federal protected species, suffered a considerable blow. Of the affected species, many of them showed signs of infertility and decreased populations.
Surveys conducted in the surrounding communities that comprise fishers and their families reported increased health complications like skin rashes, lung infections, brain damage, and developed heart conditions. On the other hand, researchers can measure the spill's environmental cost as per guidelines stipulated in the Oil pollution act of 1990. The act states that in the occurrence of an oil spill, it is by law that the concerned party must perform a Natural Resources Damage Assessment. The assessment directs that restoration initiatives should begin in the most significant hit areas after measuring the impact of animals killed and the size of wetland destroyed.
Most disasters that occur around the world are preventable. In the occurrence of a disaster, most of the blame is mainly directed to the company responsible. However, the government should also take responsibility in times of such crisis. A deeper look at the leading cause of the disaster in this study demonstrates the lack of appropriate regulations and safeguards that controlled BP Oil Company's work. Such voids in the available regulations portray the government's responsibility to make and improve rules and regulations that may avert a disaster. Additionally, companies are also ought to take responsibility for preventing a disaster as they have a vivid understanding of the various issues that can arise in their day-to-day operations.
There are several takeaway points that the government, the oil industry, businesses, and civil societies need to consider to avert the occurrence of a similar crisis as the one in this study. First, the government should take serious considerations in formulating and implementing new regulations that will govern and control a company's operations. Furthermore, businesses should consider acquiring insurance covers that will adequately protect them in times of a crisis. Lastly, civil society should advise its members to form unions to champion its members' needs and wants.
