According to scientists at PennState University, the oil spilled from British Petroleum’s Gold of Mexico oil derrick had not disappeared. This article pointed out a very compelling fact about oil spills: there is a cycle to it. A spill would occurred, creating massive ecological devastation, different parties debating about who should be responsible for the consequences, leading to a calming statement that  the oil will eventually go away, but the big question is where to? This emphasizes on the importance of taking social responsibilities; obviously “the oil will disappear” is just an excuse for businesses to avoid paying excessive recovery costs.

Because of high damages that oil spills cost, the Oil Pollution Act requires any company importing more than 150,000 tons of oil annually contribute toward a fund to help pay for damages not covered by traditional insurance or owner’s liability. This directly aligned with the topic discussed in the reading “Social Responsibility of Businesses”, how consumers have to indirectly pay for the high costs due to concerns for social problems as a whole. Furthermore, the irony fact is that while Oil Companies have to pre-pay for any spills damage they may cost, no one is enforcing regulations on the everyday damage of greenhouse effect gases! 

http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2014/sep/05/oil-companies-british-petroleum-should-pay-oil-spills-pollution-greenhouse-gas