This entry comes by popular request. A lot of people have been asking what they can do to use less oil, and reduce demand for the sticky stuff ruining beaches everywhere. Here's my top ten, feel free to add to it in comments:
1. Carpool, cycle or use public transport to go to work.
2. Choose, when possible, products packaged without plastic and recycle or re-use containers.
3. Buy organic fruits and vegetables (fertilisers and pesticides are based on oil more often than not).
4. Buy beauty products (shampoo, soap, make-up) based on natural ingredients, not oil.
5. Choose when possible locally produced, seasonal products (less transport involved).
6. Buy clothes made out of organic cotton or hemp - not from oil derivatives.
7. Use non-disposable items in picnics and summer festivals.
8. Quit bottled water.
9. Fly less.
10. Demand that your government encourage renewable energy instead of subsidizing oil.
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Find 10 more tips inspired by all the comments here.
Juliette is a Digital Mobilisation Specialist at Greenpeace International. She likes chocolate, narwhals, and is slightly obsessed with the Arctic.
paul bravo says:
I cannot believe I am the first here to propose these points. 1 - Don't eat meat! If we gave up the ghastly meat habit we could all drive...
I cannot believe I am the first here to propose these points. 1 - Don't eat meat! If we gave up the ghastly meat habit we could all drive Formula 1 cars to work and still generate less carbon. 2 - Turn down the central heating. Put on a sweater. That didn't hurt, did it? 3 - Turn off the air-con. Open a window. It's a no-brainer. We can overturn the power of Big Oil by bankrupting them. Come on H.sapiens, we can do this!
Posted 8 July, 2010 at 21:38 Flag abuse Reply
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Meek_Sheep says:
- use a bike and urge your government to make your streets more bike friendly. - use the suggestion box in restaurants, stores and other busines...
- use a bike and urge your government to make your streets more bike friendly. - use the suggestion box in restaurants, stores and other business establishments to encourage them to be more conscientious with the use of oil based packaging and bags.
Posted 9 July, 2010 at 9:51 Flag abuse Reply
treehunter says:
Keep a full-size folding bike like Dahon Zero G in your car boot and use from outskirts of towns/cities to get about. It is a 26" wheeled bike t...
Keep a full-size folding bike like Dahon Zero G in your car boot and use from outskirts of towns/cities to get about. It is a 26" wheeled bike that can do mountain stuff aswell! Brilliant machine. Saves lots of OIL.
Posted 9 July, 2010 at 12:18 Flag abuse Reply
Fabrice says:
A few additional ones that look more important to me than some of your own 10 Invest to improve the isolation of your home Reduce t...
A few additional ones that look more important to me than some of your own 10 Invest to improve the isolation of your home Reduce the temperature inside your home during winter Quit using air conditioning Reduce your car mileage
Posted 9 July, 2010 at 14:13 Flag abuse Reply
gaylerush says:
KNOW THE FREAKIN PEOPLE YOU ARE VOTING FOR, AND KNOW THEM INSIDE AND OUT
Posted 9 July, 2010 at 14:53 Flag abuse Reply
ritika says:
i practise all kinds of activities wich r nt involved wid any use of natural products....i luv my nature!
Posted 9 July, 2010 at 15:02 Flag abuse Reply
shula says:
use organic detragent in your washing machine, wash on low and don't use softeners, prewash by hand, use mixture of soda+lemon on hard removable dir...
use organic detragent in your washing machine, wash on low and don't use softeners, prewash by hand, use mixture of soda+lemon on hard removable dirt. if you don't have a composter, grind the organic staff from your kitchen and just spoon it on your flowerbed or flowerpots. grow vegetable and fruit shrub in pots on every space evailable, balcony, front door steps, windowsills, roof, small amount will take you a long way, cheaper and you can get even out of season products without polution
Posted 9 July, 2010 at 17:05 Flag abuse Reply
Piuske says:
Hello All, I know this will sound curious, but I almost buy nothing in packages and such (accept for high tech but then here I don't really yet ...
Hello All, I know this will sound curious, but I almost buy nothing in packages and such (accept for high tech but then here I don't really yet have the choice). I do try to limit myself to the strict minimun, and so avoid wastes and cash flows for huge companies. I boycott all int'l firms who from what I know don't respect environment. It's not an easy choice, because life becomes more expensive, but I do believe that this is one of the ways to make things change & put some pressure on multinational companies. It's up to each of us .. Regards, Piuske
Posted 9 July, 2010 at 21:39 Flag abuse Reply
yeoman says:
Park that car. Get where you're going and stay there. Move into a commune and start some cottage industries. Telecommute and use the Internet. Get a h...
Park that car. Get where you're going and stay there. Move into a commune and start some cottage industries. Telecommute and use the Internet. Get a horse. Commuting alone in a 2000 pound auto to a dead-end job is utter madness. If you really love working there, move as close as you can. Walk or ride your horse, bike or bus to work.
Posted 9 July, 2010 at 21:41 Flag abuse Reply
glenlea says:
Sign up and use Freecycle! Give and receive freely anything you may need instead of buying new, saving landfill.
Posted 10 July, 2010 at 5:28 Flag abuse Reply
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