It’s BP’s Oil Spill, But It’s Everybody’s Problem: What Can Philanthropy Do?
Friday, June 25th, 2010“You broke it, you bought it.”
Sounds like an easy enough policy, right? Of course, we’re not talking about a gift shop trinket, we’re talking about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. You know the one I’m talking about it, it’s being called “the worst worst environmental disaster in U.S. history.”
Yet, despite being “the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history,” donations aren’t exactly pouring in. In fact, The Chronicle of Philanthropy reported earlier this month that since the tanker explosion last April, only $4 million has been raised. Compare that with the $6 billion raised after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf in 2005.
Why the disparity in donations?
The Nonprofit Quarterly proposes it’s because we’re all waiting for BP to pick up the tab.
“Unlike Hurricane Katrina, the explosion of BP’s deep water oil rig is a completely man-made phenomenon. (Although the response to Katrina, on the other hand was surely man-made.) BP as the corporate culprit in charge ought to pay, right?”
But The Nonprofit Quarterly article by Rick Cohen is quick to point out that “the money from BP isn’t going to flow quickly.”
Meanwhile oil is washing up on Louisiana and Florida beaches; sea animals and coastal wildlife are covered with oil; and the people who live along the coast are struggling as their local economies feel the impact of the oil spill on fishing industries, tourism, etc. And they all need assistance now.
What Can Philanthropy Do?
Rick Cohen suggests Philanthropy consider funding advocacy and watchdog groups.
“Because we can all be assured about one guaranteed outcome—BP will try to get out of as many of their responsibilities as they can, and the government, given political contributions to local and national politicians, may turn a somewhat blind eye to the insufficiencies of BP’s response.”
Perhaps that’s the kindling needed to light a fire under donations.
What do you think? How should philanthropy help?
Read The Nonprofit Quarterly article by Rick Cohen online.
Read a recent Washington Post article about BP oil spill donations online.
Read a recent Chronicle of Philanthropy article about BP oil spill donations online.