The cost of
hidden oil can be all too much – but
only if we let it be.
As other
blog posts indicate: Oil is in fact ubiquitous.
The awareness of this issue is highly alarming, and can often be overwhelming. Even with the knowledge of this issue, individuals may
not be inspired and driven into immediate action – or ever any action.
Just like many ecological/environmental
problems, the issue will tend to resonate (in some shape or form), but may not
always trigger personal change. Why?
It seems as if the first inclination is to think and the second is to
ignore (I know I’m guilty of this!).
This is not because a person doesn’t care or feel for the issue, but because he/she may feel a degree of
powerlessness. The depth and severity of
the issue is often perceived as out of
reach. It can be all too
overwhelming and far too daunting.
The cost of
hidden oil throws up this tricky predicament: What can I do about this
issue? Especially, since it is perceived
that we (as consumers) have no real control in what is being produced. It’s easy to jump to the conclusion that oil
industries will continue to do as they please – it’s not possible to stop mass
production, and therefore there is no point in trying. Case closed.
However,
this mistaken assumption that change
must start with a gigantic, revolutionary act is what causes this predicament. Often, this is what triggers many of us to be overwhelmed - causing us to ignore and forget. In this case, change
can be the small things we do in our day-to-day lives. It’s the domino effect the we’re working
towards. Big change must always start from
somewhere. We should be really asking ourselves:
What can I do to lessen the amount of oil I
use? Taking small steps, bringing
about small changes in our personal lives, makes the issue less daunting and
more realistic.
Not sure
where to start? Here are three things
you can do today, tomorrow, or next week to bring about the those changes in
your own lives:
1. Are you still using plastic
bags? It was found that “about 8% to 10%
of our total oil supply goes to making plastic…an average American throws away
about 10 bags a week” [1]. Reusable grocery
bags (i.e. cloth) and shopping totes are the best alternative. Bring them with you to shopping malls and
grocery stores. Give your reusable bag
to your grocery packer. Refuse plastic! The same goes for plastic water bottles. Switch to a water bottle that is not only
plastic-free, but reusable (ex. Hydro Flask).
2. Shopping for clothes? Know what you are buying. Quality over quantity. Organic cotton or hemp (i.e. natural fibers)
materials are alternatives to clothing made from oil derivatives (ex. synthetic
fibers). Read more at http://www.treehugger.com/style/50-surprising-fashion-and-beauty-products-made-from-oil-that-you-probably-use-everyday-even-if-youre-green.html
3. Recycle, recycle, recycle! Are you continuously throwing out plastic
containers and other plastic "trash"? Recycle and re-use
them. This may seem basic, but many
consumers still do not recycle. For many
of us, this is a simple as separating our trash appropriately. Read more at http://grist.org/article/plastics/
Hopefully,
these three things illustrate what you can do to realistically make that change.
Most environmental activists advocate the importance of interdependence:
“Any step you take—large or small—toward reducing your personal consumption of
oil is a positive step” [2]. Down below
are more simple ways to take those steps in your own life. Check them out. Try them out.
Try a few first, then gradually build.
See where it takes you. Spread
the word and make a difference. You’ll
find that you can get started as early as today.
Read more:
References:
[1] Plastic
bags and petroleum. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://1bagatatime.com/learn/plastic-bags-petroleum/
[2] Pawula,
S. (2010, June 6). 11 ways to reduce your oil use. Retrieved from http://alwayswellwithin.com/2010/06/06/reducing-personal-oil-use/
Recycling
used oil [Online image]. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2017 from https://www.cityofsacramento.org/Public-Works/RSW/Collection-Services/Household-Hazardous-Waste/Used-Motor-Oil-and-Filters
Natural
fiber [Online image]. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2017 from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/541487555172024327/
Life cycle
of a paper bag [Online image]. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2017 from http://www.factorydirectpromos.com/life-cycle-of-a-plastic-bag
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