What price the earth?

Insurance companies have traditionally been given the burden of paying for the environmental liabilities incurred by the various industries, especially the petroleum industry. However, it is becoming extremely apparent that the insurance companies cannot adequately cover the growing number of potentially damaging petroleum ventures. Moreover, the question arises whether the insurance industry alone should bear the financial burden of environmental damage, when in fact such damage is often inevitable. The only possible solution for this dilemma is the imposition of a global ecotax to cover the costs of environmental cleanups.
Oil is tricky stuff. It is a totally natural product, but the only place it is halfway safe is whereever it is first found. From the moment it is taken [...]