Out of Sight, out of Mind; NOT Out of Pocket
December 2, 1984, a poisonous gas began to leak from a Union Carbide factory. This gas then claimed the lives of over 20,000 people. This is one of the most devastating industrial accidents to have ever happened. However, it is not over. People in India continue to have to suffer the after affects of the poison. The plant where the gas leaked from still remains. Their water supply is poisoned and the people live with side affects of the gas. This ranges from birth defects, to cancer, and to deformities.
The factory was the property of Union Carbide, now Dow Chemical, and was manufacturing a pesticide containing the chemical methyl isocyanate. An issue arose when the chemical began to leak into the factory and out into the air. It was unable to be stopped, despite there being multiple safety measures in place. The gas shot into the night and condensed into a cloud of toxins. This gas caused eye irritation, vomiting, and violent coughing as it burned through their lungs. At first, the people were told they were dealing with an ammonia leak. However, the symptoms did not match up. After being told the gas was the chemical MIC (methyl isocyanate) the doctors on sight had no preventative measures for the affects of the gas. People ran and animals stampeded in an attempt to flee the gas. Thousands of people died and thousands more continued to be affected by the chemical. Not only did the chemical affect their health, but it also affected the people financially. Hospital and medical bills sky rocketed.
Union Carbide still managed to get away with a slap on the wrist. Carbide would have to pay a $11,000 fine for the death of the people of Bhopal. That equals to fifty five cents a person. This in turn devalues the amount of human life in India. Despite being summoned to appear in court in India, Union Carbide completely avoided responsibility. It was not until later in the late 1980’s that Union Carbide agreed to a partial settlement of $470 million in compensation. This was still not enough to cover the damages that came about because of the gas leak. Union Carbide continued to do everything they could to avoid having to take responsibility, because taking responsibility would mean having to pay out of pocket for the damages and damage control. Union Carbide successfully got away with murder.
Why Don’t We Hear About it Anymore?
The Bhopal disaster was exactly that: a disaster. Yet, it seems to be seen as an accident in the past, or a Third World incident. Simply because it did not happen on U.S soil it seems like the U.S citizens responsible for the event are able to wash their hands of the whole thing. The issue seems to correspond with being “out of sight” or “out of mind.” But what qualifies the gas leak as a solitary incident affecting only the Global South? The entire issue of the disaster was that a toxin leaked into the air and poisoned anything that breathes. Air is not land, it can not be allotted and sectioned off to own as property. It moves and travels and changes. So, the gas having been leaked into the air therefore should be seen as a human problem.
This gas could affect more than just the people in Bhopal, and therefore should be a concern of everyone. The people in charge of the factory, Union Carbide, needs to take responsibility of the incident. However, it is seen as a solitary incident somewhere else that is not here. So how can something like this be prevented? The Bhopal disaster serves as a lesson to hold Corporations responsible for their company.
Corporate Social Responsibility, or CSR, is a way for big companies to be accountable for providing services for the good of the environment as well as the company itself. CSR will not only profit the company, but also the people and environment. By promising Social Responsibility the companies are held responsible for the affects their corporations have.
Corporate Social Responsibility is important because it makes companies acknowledge morals within a corporation. It helps the company to contribute to the community and environment through good business practice. Susan Hunt Stevens who is the CEO and founder of WeSpire states “[CSR] often represents the policies, practices and initiatives a company commits to in order to govern themselves with honesty and transparency and have a positive impact on social and environmental wellbeing.”
Corporate Social Responsibility will also appeal to socially conscience consumers. The age of the millennial’s seems to have a growing concern for the environment, and for social justice issues. Because of this, companies who practice Corporate Social Responsibility will likely be more popular among incoming consumers. With this in account, it is the responsibility of the people to keep in mind the injustices that still need to be paid for. Out of sight should not equal out of mind.
