Iyuyu9Oo
CARSEY
R
• esidents along the Gulf of Mexico coast experienced a wide range of impacts from the record-breaking oil spill that followed the explosion, in April 2010, of a British Petroleum (BP) oil rig. Louisiana and Florida residents received the largest share of BP-related claims, reflecting the substantial economic burden these states faced in connection to this disaster.1 It will be years before the area can accurately assess the amount of damage to the region’s coastal environment, marine ecosystems, and its economically and culturally important fishing, oil, and tourism industries. • •
ISSUE BRIEF NO. 25 SPRING 2011
I N S T I T U T E
The Social Impact of the Gulf Oil Disaster
Diverging Views From Communities in Florida and Louisiana
JESSICA D. ULRICH
Key Findings
Nearly one-half of all Gulf Coast residents (48 percent6) perceived damage to the environment and wildlife as the most serious result of the oil spill. Perceptions regarding the impact of the spill reflect the economic differences in the two states—Floridians are most concerned about effects on tourism and Louisianans on the fishing and oil industries. The majority of Gulf Coast residents thought that the economy, fishing industry, beaches, and wildlife would recover within a few years after the spill. Gulf Coast residents had little faith in BP to rectify the situation after the oil spill. Fifty-nine percent did not trust the information BP provided about the spill, and 69 percent thought BP was doing a poor or fair job responding effectively to the spill. Although more than one-half of the respondents from both states experienced either major or minor economic effects from the Gulf oil spill, only 16 percent of Floridians and 18 percent of Louisianans have been compensated or expect that BP will compensate them for the losses. Louisianans were more than twice as likely as Floridians to think that their state and local governments were doing an excellent job responding to the
R
• esidents along the Gulf of Mexico coast experienced a wide range of impacts from the record-breaking oil spill that followed the explosion, in April 2010, of a British Petroleum (BP) oil rig. Louisiana and Florida residents received the largest share of BP-related claims, reflecting the substantial economic burden these states faced in connection to this disaster.1 It will be years before the area can accurately assess the amount of damage to the region’s coastal environment, marine ecosystems, and its economically and culturally important fishing, oil, and tourism industries. • •
ISSUE BRIEF NO. 25 SPRING 2011
I N S T I T U T E
The Social Impact of the Gulf Oil Disaster
Diverging Views From Communities in Florida and Louisiana
JESSICA D. ULRICH
Key Findings
Nearly one-half of all Gulf Coast residents (48 percent6) perceived damage to the environment and wildlife as the most serious result of the oil spill. Perceptions regarding the impact of the spill reflect the economic differences in the two states—Floridians are most concerned about effects on tourism and Louisianans on the fishing and oil industries. The majority of Gulf Coast residents thought that the economy, fishing industry, beaches, and wildlife would recover within a few years after the spill. Gulf Coast residents had little faith in BP to rectify the situation after the oil spill. Fifty-nine percent did not trust the information BP provided about the spill, and 69 percent thought BP was doing a poor or fair job responding effectively to the spill. Although more than one-half of the respondents from both states experienced either major or minor economic effects from the Gulf oil spill, only 16 percent of Floridians and 18 percent of Louisianans have been compensated or expect that BP will compensate them for the losses. Louisianans were more than twice as likely as Floridians to think that their state and local governments were doing an excellent job responding to the