How to Help with the Gulf Oil Issue: Stop Using So Much Oil

The horrific disaster of the Gulf oil spill of 53 days ago has people wondering how they can help?

The most meaningful action one can take is to address the long-term consequences of this dependency on oil that we have. These consequences that don’t just include spills, but everything from global warming to political instability. The biggest and smallest thing you can do is to stop using so much oil! Every drop you don’t use matters.

• Use public transportation and ask them not to idle. Give them a current copy of Green Energy Times’ article from the Transportation page (4). Or have them read it on our website in either the current and past issues or on the previous post.
• Carpool  – again please don’t idle and spread the word (see note in paragraph above)
• Bike more often than you drive.
• Make your next car a fuel efficient one, including an option for an electric vehicle.
• Be aware of oil-derived products that you use like plastic…  and support companies that use recycled content with their product and refill your containers at food stores like co-ops that carry both foods and cleaning products in bulk so that you can do this.
• Strive to reduce your gas consumption no matter what car you drive or lawn you mow.Battery powered lawn mowers use no gas or oil EVER!
  
• If you heat your home with oil, learn how to reduce your energy usage by utilizing the weatherization incentives available to button up your homes.  Seal those leaks. Insulate with appropriate materials that will actually keep your heat loss to a minimum.  Then replace your furnace with one that will use not only less fuel to operate, but will need less because of the energy saving measures you have taken!
• Support power companies that support Renewable energy sources and that do not condone the use of coal (there is NO SUCH THING AS CLEAN COAL!) or nuclear (it is just too dangerous and unsafe).
• Urge industry and leaders to clean up old oil-fired power and nuclear plants.
• Support comprehensive energy legislation that will move the nation from a dependence on fossil fuels like oil and coal to more renewable energy technologies, like wind, solar and geothermal and small hydro.