The oil and gas company Chevron has been criticized for a variety of environmental and human rights abuses. Chevron has been accused of dumping 18 billion gallons of toxic waste into the Ecuadorian Amazon. The indigenous people argue that Chevron’s toxic waste disposal resulted in $27 billion worth of damages. For instance, evidence suggests that Chevron’s former oil drilling sites are contaminated with toxic byproducts that cause cancer. The indigenous people drink from water sources contaminated by these toxic byproducts.

Chevron has hired twelve public relations firms to handle the indigenous people and the organizations that are claiming that Chevron is engaging in unethical activities.

If corporations engage in actions (i.e., dumping toxic waste in Chevron’s case) that result in serious illnesses and injuries, then should they be held accountable?