In April 2010, the largest environmental disaster in US history struck the Gulf of Mexico – the explosion of oil rig Deepwater Horizon.

After burning for more than a day, Deepwater Horizon sunk taking with it 11 lives, costing oil major BP more than $40 billion and an onslaught of environmental damage still being felt today.

Over the last seven years the blame game for who was responsible and liable jumped back and forth with payouts being made to certain bodies who brought claims against BP for financial losses.

But the blowout of a disaster to this scale goes far beyond a slump in tourism or trade in the region.

Speakers:
Jesse Fallon – PHD Student at Virginia Tech.
Dr Stan Palassis – Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of Technology Sydney.
Ana Bugnot – Research Associate at the University of New South Wales.

Presenter: Jake Morcom.
Producer: Jake Morcom and Miles Herbert.
Editorial guidance from Miles Herbert and Ellen Leabeater.