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.
earthie says:
Reduce speed on Motor ways ! I do not drive faster than 88kmph = 55mph . at get passed by 99percent of the vehicles here, ...
Reduce speed on Motor ways ! I do not drive faster than 88kmph = 55mph . at get passed by 99percent of the vehicles here, incl. trucks etc. on german highways (Autobahn). (I don't get it. did I miss it somewhere on these comments or ain't it suitable with your needs ?)
Posted 26 July, 2010 at 22:44 Flag abuse Reply
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Jacobson says:
The use of oil is clearly disgusting and holds no future. I really apppreciate all of the efforts that Greenpeace makes in saving the environment.
The use of oil is clearly disgusting and holds no future. I really apppreciate all of the efforts that Greenpeace makes in saving the environment. It seems like Greenpeace is one of the very few who are trying to save the planet and inevitably our species. You have plenty of supporters out here. Thank you.
Posted 27 July, 2010 at 2:58 Flag abuse Reply
Luís says:
Buy a SIGG bottle. that way you use much much less water bottles. I don't release mine
Posted 27 July, 2010 at 15:56 Flag abuse Reply
Smiling Irishman says:
Choose to live in a hydronically heated (i.e.;hot water heating) building, such as an apartment building, with multiple levels----broad in footprint. ...
Choose to live in a hydronically heated (i.e.;hot water heating) building, such as an apartment building, with multiple levels----broad in footprint. These buildings are highly efficient from a heating perspective because each occupancy has low external wall surface area exposed to the elements vs. a stand-alone structure. In northern climates, the need to run heating systems extensively is largely because so much surface area of the building is losing heat to the cold exterior. Heat loss is based upon three variables: 1. The exposed exterior surface areaof a structure or thing. 2. The temperature difference between the inside and the outside (heat wants to migrate from hotter places to cooler places, a law of thermodynamics). 3. The insulating effectiveness of the exterior wall/roof/windows/doors. So living in an independant dwelling is extremely expensive in terms of energy usage. We all want the 'big space', our own pied a terre, perhaps, but it is grossly unsustainable in a world where so many live in severe climates. And the boiler heating is both extremely comfortable and quiet, its highly efficient, and the interior space of the building necessary to house the heat system infrastucture is minimal compared to ductwork and forced air. If I may add one more point, the increasing adoption of air conditioning in domestic usage in regions where the climate is seldom hot is also unsustainable and selfish---we can use fans and natural ventilation in many, many instances rather than running electo-mechanical cooling systems run off the energy gobbling power grid. This is accurate, I am an engineering technologist in air conditioning/heating/refrigeration. I practice what I preach.
Posted 29 July, 2010 at 5:08 Flag abuse Reply
(Unregistered) Shaheen11 says:
I gree with you, and I believe we can save oil for long time by using petrol in economy way for example drive less and that could solve traffic and po...
I gree with you, and I believe we can save oil for long time by using petrol in economy way for example drive less and that could solve traffic and pollution problems .
Posted 17 March, 2015 at 11:36 Flag abuse Reply
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