Severity: The BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
The severity of any world event relates to how impactful it is, how memorable it is, and the lasting effects it leaves behind. The greater the consequences of an event and how long it persists leads an event to have greater severity, and vice versa. Like any world event oil spills also range in severity from local, minor, and simple to manage to catastrophic global news-worthy, costly, and time-consuming events to manage. “The severity of impacts on benthic communities depends on the nature of the petroleum-derived material which was deposited on the seafloor” (Rogers, 2019). As a society we can take steps to mitigate the impact of an oil spill. One way we can move forward on mitigating that damage caused by oil spills is by implementing better and more effective response strategies. Another mitigation tactic would be to invest in higher research into causes and effects. This research will enable us to prepare for any irregularities and to nip them in the bud before they can cause any real damage. These initiatives will enable us and put us on a better path of minimizing harm to our most vulnerable ecosystems, especially our marine ecosystem that has suffered greatly after the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. “In addition, coastal asset data, amassed by various government and non-government entities, have greatly contributed to better impact models and their associated estimates of spill severity” (Nelson J. R., 2021). One such example of a consequential oil spill that can be accurately described as severe is The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, commonly dubbed the worst oil spill in world history, is one of the best documented oil spills and one such example of a catastrophic oil spill that resulted in ecological collapse and government intervention. “Ignition and explosion were all but inevitable. On April 20, 2010, an explosion occurs on the BP Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico” (Eargle & Esmail, 2012). This explosion that occurred at the Gulf of Mexico marks the first chapter of what many have made the argument of it being the single worst oil spill to ever happen to date. “The first explosion occurred at approximately 9:49 p.m. On the drilling floor, the Macondo disaster claimed its first victims” (National Commission, 2011). This reveals that the onset of this incident that the catalyst to this calamity was an ignition that was closely followed by an explosion. A major cause of The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill that is also very prevalent in many other industries was a lack of oversight and regulation. “Federal oversight followed the philosophy of “minimum regulation, maximum cooperation.” (National Commission, 2011). A consequence of corporate lobbying, political donations from the energy sector, and a consequential push for unrestraint deregulation. “Lobbying records show BP has sought to shape bills in Congress that would speed up oil drilling in the Gulf and implement the recommendations of a presidential commission that investigated the massive spill” (Schouten, 2011). As a consequence of this oil spill British Petroleum was force to pay steep penalties and face further repercussions. Ultimately many who were affected by this incident feel that British Petroleum was let off the hook with relative ease. “The financial penalties BP incurred were substantial costs: $60 billion (in relation to BP's market capitalization of about $170 billion in 2009) as fines, penalties, clean up and mitigating costs.” (McGuire, 2022). Instead of taking accountability for their mistake many lobbying firms representing oil giants worked overtime to ease the burden off British Petroleum. However, one must note that if anyone including major corporations are offered an off-ramp it would be inconceivable not to take it and work on improving your reputation in the future. “Oil giant BP spent $2 million on federal lobbying efforts during the first three months of this year, a 25% increase over the same period in 2010” (Schouten, 2011). This federal lobbying set British Petroleum up to earn more favourable ruling and opened the door for them to enhance their personal reputation with the public in the future.