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.
Bongodog says:
Don't use styrofoam, bubblegum, or ballpoint pens! Download MP3s instead of buying plastic-packed CDs REFILL your plastic dispensers inste...
Don't use styrofoam, bubblegum, or ballpoint pens! Download MP3s instead of buying plastic-packed CDs REFILL your plastic dispensers instead of replacing them. Lose the hair gel. Use KY Jelly instead of Vaseline!
Posted 6 July, 2010 at 13:09 Flag abuse Reply
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tangent says:
Buy clothes in second hand shops - even if they are made using oil, you are only contributing to a given charity's profits, not the oil industry.
Buy clothes in second hand shops - even if they are made using oil, you are only contributing to a given charity's profits, not the oil industry. As regards plastic dispensers - it would be better to buy bars of organic soap instead that only use paper packaging and don't contain oil derived substances.
Posted 6 July, 2010 at 14:31 Flag abuse Reply
Cliff says:
Reward yourself with a treat each time you cycle, walk or use public transport Walk the 10 mins to the shops and leave the car at home by...
Reward yourself with a treat each time you cycle, walk or use public transport Walk the 10 mins to the shops and leave the car at home by deciding to look at something new in your neighbourhood that you wouldn't notice from the car. Or decide to say hello to one person on the way (which you can't do in a car). Give yourself extra benefits by making the greener decision. Walk the 10 mins to the shops and leave the car at home by deciding to pick up just one piece of litter on the way as well (which you also can't do in a car)
Posted 6 July, 2010 at 14:58 Flag abuse Reply
devilin says:
Don't use plastic bags for your shopping. Bring your own bags or baskets. Use deposit bottles (Water, Softdrinks, beer...) and beakers (yoghurt...
Don't use plastic bags for your shopping. Bring your own bags or baskets. Use deposit bottles (Water, Softdrinks, beer...) and beakers (yoghurt, and so forth). Avoid disposable bottles and containers. There are alternative products for nappys and Hygenic articles. Read the ingredience for cleaners, washproducts, cosmetics and find alternative producs. Some people don't own cars and still survive. If you don't want to live without, check out, if you really need the car everytime. Start waste seperation and recyling.Try to think about, that resources are not neverending.
Posted 6 July, 2010 at 15:12 Flag abuse Reply
Ryan says:
If you are a contractor or do-it-yourselfer, never install vinyl siding. Use fiber cement as a more earth friendly alternative. In fact, try to elimin...
If you are a contractor or do-it-yourselfer, never install vinyl siding. Use fiber cement as a more earth friendly alternative. In fact, try to eliminate vinyl from your life altogether - use a fabric shower curtain liner, etc. You will not miss the horrific stench!
Posted 6 July, 2010 at 15:22 Flag abuse Reply
tunist says:
be radical! evolve your consciousness! realise you are a divine being and totally capable of creating positive change that is way beyond ...
be radical! evolve your consciousness! realise you are a divine being and totally capable of creating positive change that is way beyond what you have seen others do. 1. Many individuals within companies presently value money over ethics and responsibility; this is connected strongly to denial that is present within consciousness, within our thought processes and general way of being. So.. End denial and the associated habits that persist as a result of denial. From here it is much easier to change life choices such that relationships with closed minded (psychopathic money focussed) beings.. in other words, quit the addiction to money as well as oil. 2. Understand who you are as deeply as you can.. This is much more fruitful than working as part of a corporation, country or group that has its focus in competition and/or profit.. It is the difference between living in joy as a facet of spirit/all that is and simply playing a game of mental monopoly with very unpleasant side effects. 3. Transport - Now that you have stopped 'going along' with the herd and are not interested in 'being employed' in an ever spinning mouse wheel; you are free and more capable to explore alternative means of transport which have been suppressed by those who would no longer make money from oil if they were used. Examples are water technology, Hydrogen, Air, Solar, Magnetic.. And the holy grail, your own divine energy balanced and being totally transcendent of technology! ;) 4. Water - I have used bottled water for years after coming to understand that tap water is in general not supportive of well being, for a variety of reasons. The only way I presently have of bypassing bottles and still accessing healthy, natural water is to install a high quality filter on the tap water to remove FLOURIDE, CHLORINE and other deliberately added elements which in general do not assist our mind/body to live peacefully and wholly. Other methods do exist, which involve vortex processing of water, crystal application and so on.. These do also have an effect even on bottled mineral water, thus, everything we do to clean our dirty water can help.. ending dependency on bottles requires some group action, determination and willingness to clean us/the planet rather than ignore us/the planet. 5. TRUST - We often choose to maintain rigid behaviour patterns out of apathy and/or disbelief that we will be supported.. Take a walk beyond your usual routine and see for yourself how much source/creation will support acts of loving kindness and freedom.. WAY more than you probably think... :) * all of this is relevant to oil use if you think about it holistically.
Posted 6 July, 2010 at 16:50 Flag abuse Reply
oh, natural springs are more common than many people think.. thus we can often bottle our own water using glass or other type of non-oil based bottle ...
oh, natural springs are more common than many people think.. thus we can often bottle our own water using glass or other type of non-oil based bottle at a locally available spring.
Posted 6 July, 2010 at 16:52 Flag abuse Reply
FOOD - You don't need to eat processed foods and when there is focus on growing natural organic food you will probably be using less oil (no tr...
FOOD - You don't need to eat processed foods and when there is focus on growing natural organic food you will probably be using less oil (no transport after initial setup)... and eating healthier food too. through integrating these ideas into your life you can more easily inspire other too.
Posted 6 July, 2010 at 17:29 Flag abuse Reply
JKrill says:
Excuse me? These recommendations say 'Quit bottled water,' but 'Fly less.' If we're serious about reducing dependence on oil, flying is much much worse than those plastic bottles - the verbs in these sentences need to be reversed!
Posted 6 July, 2010 at 19:38 Flag abuse Reply
Naturesweetie says:
I use stainless steel and glass for storing food in the fridge and freezer, drink tap water and use a stainless steel bottle for carrying it with me w...
I use stainless steel and glass for storing food in the fridge and freezer, drink tap water and use a stainless steel bottle for carrying it with me when I am out, canvas bags for shopping, cloth pads instead of disposable, and walk pretty much everywhere I need to go. (I don't own a car and I don't fly) Organic or local produce only. Even my 7year old will ask for a glass of water before any bottled drink. I buy all my clothes used or organic and wear shoes that are durable and will last me years. (like my blundstones for all that walking I do)
Posted 6 July, 2010 at 21:24 Flag abuse Reply
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