[andylynch]

They are arguing that the companies concerned were not, but should be compelled to, price in at least some of the negative externalities of their product.

Not doing so of course makes their product's price not reflect its true cost to produce, and distorts that same supply and demand.

[ChurchillsLlama]

I completely agree if these negative externalities weren't several degrees of separation. Car companies could have produced cars with better emissions which isn't the fault of the oil companies, people could get their products later instead of next-day (I'm also guilty of this), you get the picture. I'm glad oil companies are having to be more transparent but the blame is on the entire population of the world.