This page is to give you another option of helping us and the effects of the Oil Spill.
Making small changes in our daily lives can have a huge impact on our environment and could potentially eliminate another disaster like the Gulf Coast Oil Spill from happening. It starts with the individual and then begins to ripple out. It is becoming more and more common knowledge around the globe that our oil consumption as humans is far too high. When we buy a product we are essentially telling the market that we need this and so when lots of people buy something the market sees that demand and responds by making more...do we actually need it though?
Here are some things you can do or think about to bring down your oil/energy consumption:
1) When you buy something, take a minute and actually think to yourself, "do I actually NEED this?" We all buy things, we need to in order to survive but sometimes we buy too much without even thinking.
2) Ask yourself, "What is this made of? Was oil used to create this product or is it part of this product?" Sometimes oil may not have been involved in making the actual product but maybe the packaging it comes in was made with oil. There are so many other alternatives to plastic so try to ask yourself these questions before you buy the product.
3) When going somewhere, think about if you can walk or use another form of transportation (besides a car) to get to where you need to go. Taking motorized vehicles should be used infrequently and seen as a luxury or form of transportation that should be used when necessary. If you can use your own two legs to get somewhere you will be doing the whole planet a favour! Just think before, that's all, and appreciate the use of the oil as a precious resource.
And finally, coming from two teachers, EDUCATE yourself about these issues. Sometimes learning for yourself will make you appreciate the issues more, whether you read a book, talk to a friend, call an organization or just get involved someway, you might learn that this issue really is really important!
We might add some more later but that is a good start. Please let us know of others that we could add that have helped you or others decrease their energy consumption.
SOME OTHER WAYS TO HELP (from emails we received):
This example of reducing energy consumption comes from one of our donors. This family has figured out lots of ways to reduce their energy in the home. These include:
- Replacing their 42 year old oil furnace and kitchen appliances to a high-efficiency forced air electric furnace, purchasing an Energy Star-rated fridge and a stove with convection (more efficient than regular). Not only were they energy conscious consumers but they also made other choices like opting out of having AC or a dishwasher and unplugging their stand-alone freezer.
- Converting their conventional electricity to 100% green electricity, through Bullfrog Power.
- Retiring their gas lawn mower and purchasing a Canadian-made cordless electric "Solaris" mower and the batteries for the mower are charged via their 100% green electricity - not is this family thinking about how this product is more energy efficient but they were also thinking local versus global.
Definitely some great ideas for reducing energy consumption! It is always heart-warming to know that people are out there trying to make change! So thank you for doing your part because I (and I am sure Lisa would agree) it is not easy to make changes but these seem like really easy ways to cut down on energy.
