Photo credit: National Geographic
The biggest environmental disaster in our nation's history continues, and I take responsibility (thanks for the lead, President Obama) because it's my fault, too. Blame BP all you want, but we who are addicted to oil -- for our cars, for our way of life -- caused this. BP wouldn't be drilling if we weren't a nation(s) of addicts needing our oil fix.
So look hard at this mess we have collectively created and the collective power we have to do something about it.
Riding my bike to work, recycling, turning off the lights, turning the thermostat down, and buying locally grown food is not enough to/does not fix this problem or appease my guilt at the images of oil coated wildlife.
Riding my bike to work, recycling, turning off the lights, turning the thermostat down, and buying locally grown food is not enough to/does not fix this problem or appease my guilt at the images of oil coated wildlife.
But those things, multiplied by millions of people doing the same and more, do make real change. We have to start somewhere.
We need to be educated. Crude oil is used to produce everything from plastics to paint to detergent to make-up and candles. We use it all the time. But their are alternatives - know what they are and support their use.
We must reduce consumption. This map (source: Wikipedia) shows global energy consumption levels per capita (darker colors represent more consumption):
Join me in this: Make a list of the things you do to reduce your energy consumption and personal carbon footprint. Double it. Then make a list of ways you can lend yourself to organizations and coalitions working for large scale change. Sign up. Send your money.
Need help?
- Calculate your carbon footprint
- 15 ways to reduce your carbon footprint
- Environmental organizations (international, national, and by state) can be found here and here
BP and others directly responsible for this disaster must be held accountable.
But make no mistake.
But make no mistake.
We did this.
Tell it!
ReplyDeleteReaders, I was fortunate to have this post picked up by MinnPost (http://tinyurl.com/24odr5p) and someone left a very excellent comment there that I want to share with you. You can go to the MinnPost link or read it here:
ReplyDeleteRight on, sister.
We are all responsible, we Americans, voracious consumers that we are. Let's not be too hasty to let Corporate America off the hook:
We've allowed consumerist messages into our homes (TVs), our cars, roadsides, the webpages we read and just about every other medium where a marketing message can be conveyed. We've been sold on "needing" so much Stuff, much of it plastic and petroleum-based and polluting, with most of it ending up in the landfills.
Pay attention next time you're out for that Saturday afternoon stroll. What do you hear, gas-powered mowers? Leaf blowers? weed whackers? Cars rushing past? Freeway noise?
Imagine for a moment how quiet and slow life would be without gas-power. How sweet-smelling the air would be.
Imagine how much energy would be conserved if everyone air-dried their laundry and washed clothes in cold water (gets them just as clean!), turned down the water heater.
I offer a few more suggestions:
Set the thermostat up, or better yet, Off, in summer, and down in winter, wearing another layer;
pull the shades/curtains on south and west-facing windows during the heat of a sunny summer day;
use ceiling and window fans; tell the store manager that the 64 degree setting on the AC is NOT okay;
walk or bike to the shops or hop a bus;
use the car only when necessary.
Compost food waste and leaves in a discreet bin in the backyard, and use it for garden soil.
Grow your own veggies if you've a sunny spot, making use of your compost.
And if your thumb isn't green, visit the local farmer's market where only locally grown produce is sold. As your grocer to stock local produce.
Use natural fertilizer, keeping the grass strong without weed killer - or better yet, turn the 'yard' into a self-sustaining garden of rocks, ground covers, perennials, shrubs and mulch, if possible.
More and more, alternatives to petroleum-based products are becoming available, from make-up and clothing, to paint and cleaning products (for example, baking soda and white vinegar combined make a super cleaning agent for carpet spots, drains and much more).
Yes, BP is responsible for the oil disaster in the Gulf. They have been careless and have shown gross negligence for people who reside around the Gulf, and everywhere, and for the planet that we depend on for life. They must be held fully accountable.
Meanwhile, let's take this as a long overdue wake-up call for our own careless habits and unthinking ways that put our living planet at risk, and turn this thing around.
Each of us has the power: The way we want our world to be starts at home.