The oil spill in the US is absolutely horrific, of that there can be no argument. But is it all BP’s fault? Don’t we all share some of the blame because of our over-consumeristic lifestyles? It’s easy to point the finger and yell and scream and call for boycotts and lawsuits. But will that fix anything?
No.
The North American governments don’t help. They hardly promote green energy or green living. Yes, they do lip service to it, but there are no tax breaks for green resources such as wind, solar and tidal energy. They offer no incentives to these forms of renewable resources and continue to provide massive tax breaks to the large corporation who donate heavily.
But what about you and I? Are we really doing anything? Not really. Why not? Because humans are inherently greedy and prone to self absorption. Sure, we all want what’s best for the ecosystem, “just don’t inconvenience me”. “Don’t make me pay more for anything”. “Don’t make me give up anything”.
We still drive big gas guzzlers and whine about high gas prices. I honestly think that gasoline is still too cheap here in North America. Cross the ocean and expect to pay $2 or more per litre. That’s the real price of fuel and I think we should be paying it here too. Then perhaps people will look for more fuel efficient and smaller vehicles, and automobile companies will be forced to capitulate and build more efficient cars and trucks. So stop whining for lower prices on gas and ask for higher ones! And don’t tell me I don’t understand, I live in a city with some of the highest fuel prices in North America, and I still don’t think they are high enough. Granted, the bulk of that price hike country by country is based on taxes, and if the prices are raised, then those taxes should be going towards environmental issues. Realistically, they probably aren’t. At least not enough of them.
So drive less, don’t run out “for just one thing” – be efficient in your vehicle time. If you just need “one thing”, see if you can manage without it, be a bit more flexible. Drive a more efficient vehicle, share rides, take the bus, walk, ride a bike, get a scooter…whatever.
Think about other things besides gas. Oil is used in a phenomenal number of items we take for granted. Should we be taking these things for granted, or should we be finding alternatives? Petroleum products are so ubiquitous I bet there are more than a dozen items within reach that are made from them. Some really have become vital everyday objects and last a long time, somewhat justifying their presence. Bandaids, rubbing alcohol, paraffin candles are all made with petroleum products. So are many soaps, detergents, hand lotions, skin creams, cosmetics, mouthwash, bubble bath, hair spray. Carpet, electrical cords, wall paper, shower curtains, patio furniture, polyurethane stains, garden hoses, plexiglas, floor wax, solvents. propane, antifreeze, motor oil, tires, brake fluid, windshield wipers, CDs and DVDs, bubble gum, balloons, nylon leashes, ammonia, insect repellent, polyester, rayon, crayons, shoe polish, watch bands, plastic clothes hangers, masking tape, fishing line, life jackets, nail polish, hair dyes, glue, aspirin, anaesthetics, ink, toothpaste, vitamin capsules, water pipes, yarn, telephones, shampoo, toothbrushes, computers and computer chips…the list is endless.
Obviously I’m not saying we have to give everything up, but I am saying that because we are so addicted to these products, that we share much of the blame for the horror in the Gulf. And there are so many things that we can (and should) do without.
Plastic bags and product packaging – don’t take bags at stores, use your own. And try to buy products with less packaging. Take a chance, try something different.
Pesticides and herbicides – Hopefully you’ve given up using these and I am 100% behind any legislation that would ban them from public use. If a dandelion is that offensive to you, go pull it up by it’s roots. Kids play on grass…do you really want them rolling around in toxins?
Teflon – This stuff really makes me nervous. Heat it too high and it gives off toxins that are deadly to birds. The day I discovered that (around the same time that we got a bird – about 18 years ago) – all teflon went out the door. Stainless steel is very non-stick if you use it properly. Heat it, add oil and let it heat, then add your food. Cleans up like a dream too.
Plastic lunch containers – It’s been well known for over 20 years that the chemicals in plastic (BPA, synthetic estrogens, endocrine disruptors) leach when heated, as in a microwave. I first learned about this at University in around 1993 – nothing has gone into a microwave in plastic since that day. That it was only made known to the masses in the last few years is mind-boggling. Use glass or steel.
If you have to buy plastics, and who doesn’t – they are unavoidable, look for ones that are made of recycled materials, or from non petroleum sources such as corn or soy.
Small steps are still steps, every little bit does help. Maybe we all need to be a little bit more inconvenienced once in a while. Maybe we all need to think a bit more in our day to day life about the little things we don’t usually think about.
It makes me sick to se what has happened because of our need for oil. The only way it won’t happen again in the future is if we all make an attempt to reduce our dependence on the stuff, even just a little bit. And because of human nature, the only way I can see that happening is if things shift radically, and we are forced to pay more for unhealthy, non-sustainable products, and less for healthy and renewable ones.
I can dream.