The United States Environmental Protection Agency reports that “nearly 14,000 thousand oil spills are reported each year” (“Response”). Therefore, it is clear that as the world continues to use more and more of this powerful non-renewable resource, accidents are very possible at any time. Additionally, oil spills harm the planet and society in numerous ways. Due to oil spills at sea, organisms, environments and the economy suffer. First, many organisms are harmed when it comes to oil spills. However, some scientists argue that while there is certainly damage at the individual level, most populations are able to survive and continue to live in the area (“Effects of Oil Spills”). Populations, in general, are robust enough to survive most precarious situations. The effects that oil has on living things are classified as lethal or non-lethal (“Life”). While non-lethal effects may not directly kill the organism, they may lead to the organism being unable to protect itself from predators. Animals most affected by oil include seabirds, sea otters, sea turtles and fish (“oil spills”). For sea otters and seabirds, the oil is dangerous because of its ability to coat the fur and feathers of these animals. Oil coating is threatening because it can cause animals to be unable to control their body temperature, which can ultimately lead to hypothermia (“oil spills”). The oil can physically prevent these animals from performing homeostasis. Sea turtles do not instinctively avoid oil and water, and sometimes ingest the oil when they come close to breathe (Patin). All turtles need to breathe, but in the event of an oil spill they end up consuming the oil that remains around the world. All in all, oil spills are severely crippling the world as they cloud the Earth's magnificent waters. Works Cited “Effects of Oil Spills on Marine Life.” Oceana.org. 2012. Network. March 2, 2014. “Effects of Oil Spills.” ITOPF.com. International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation, 2013. Web. March 2, 2014. “How Does the BP Oil Spill Affect Wildlife and Habitat?” NWF.com. National Wildlife Federation. Network. March 2, 2014. "Out of oil." NOAA.gov. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Feb. 18, 2014. Web. Feb. 24, 2014. “Oil Spill Response Techniques.” EPA.gov. Environmental Protection Agency, January 2, 2014. Web. March 2, 2014.Patin, Stanislav. “Out of oil”. eoearth.org. Encyclopedia of Earth, May 28, 2010. Web. March 2, 2014. “The Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill.” neaq.org. New England Aquarium. Network. March 2 2014.