Living Simple And Consuming Conscientiously
Posted on 15 August 2008
I find it quite perplexing that we are so focused on gas prices and reducing our gas consumption and yet we virtually have ignored that only 15% of our oil consumption is based on gasoline and nearly 30% is due to other everyday products. If we are serious about “weaning” ourselves off oil (particularly foreign oil) we are going to have to do a whole lot more than just cut down on our gas consumption and create alternative energies.
Here is a list (by all means, not a complete list) of products which are reliant upon oil.
- Deisel (Which is used to transport our food)
- Cars (the actual body of the car, not just what goes into it for fuel)
- Asphalt (the roads we drive our cars on)
- Tires
- Cosmetics
- Most synthetic fiber (such as rayon,nylon,polyester)
- Nylon Rope
- Crayons
- Telephones
- Enamel Paint
- Transparent (Scotch) tape
- Antiseptics
- Deodorant
- Pantyhose
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Carpets
- Epoxy paint
- Oil filters
- Upholstery
- Hearing Aids
- Cassettes
- Motorcycle helmets
- Pillows
- Shower Doors and Shower Curtains
- Shoes
- Refrigerators
- Electrical Tape
- Safety Glass
- Awnings
- Rubber Cement
- Ice Buckets
- Fertilizers
- Hair coloring
- Toilet seats
- Denture adhesive
- Loudspeakers
- Movie Film
- Shoes
- Boots
- Candles
- Water pipes
- Credit cards
- Aspirin
- Golf Balls
- Detergents
- Sunglasses
- Glue
- Fishing Rods
- Linoleum
- Trash bags
- Hand Lotion
- Shampoo
- Shaving cream
- Footballs
- Paint brushes
- Balloons
- Fan belts
- Umbrellas
- Paint Rollers
- Luggage
- Antifreeze
- Model Cars and Airplanes
- Floor Wax
- Dishwashing liquids
- Unbreakable dishes
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Combs
- Tents
- Hair curlers
- Lipstick
- Ice cube trays
- Electric blankets
- Electric Cord
- Tennis rackets
- Drinking cups
- House paint
- Rollerskate wheels
- Guitar strings
- Ammonia
- Eyeglasses
- Life jackets
- TV cabinets
- Car battery cases
- Insect repellent
- Refrigerants
- Typewriter ribbons
- Cold cream
- Glycerin Soap
- Cameras
- Anesthetics
- Artificial turf
- Artificial Limbs
- Bandages
- Dentures
- Mops
- Beach Umbrellas
- Ballpoint pens
- Boats
- Nail polish
- Golf bags
- Caulking
- Tape recorders
- Curtains
- Vitamin capsules
- Skis
- Insecticides
- Fishing lures
- Perfumes
- Shoe polish
- Petroleum Jelly
- Faucet Washers
- Food preservatives
- Antihistamines
- Cortisone
- Synthetic Dyes
- LP records
- Solvents
- Roofing
- Credit Cards
- Brake Fluid
- Life Jackets
- Lunch Boxes
- Boats
- Hair Spray
- Jet Fuel
- Bubble Wrap
- Tennis Rackets
- Any Children’s Toy That Contains Plastic
- Most Food Packaging
- Carpets
- Roller Blades
- Skate Boards
- Baby Car Seats
- Shampoo
- Raincoats
Are we willing to give up ALL these things (and more) to deal with this oil crisis? If not, then, what is the answer?
Maybe, the answer is simply to be conscious of the problem and make wise consumer decisions based on the four R’s (Reduce, Recycle, Reuse). If you use the system of the four R’s, you can reduce our dependency on oil and help save our environment at the same time.
The first thing you will want to do to “reduce” is to begin to buy local. This not only supports local merchants, producers and manufacturers, allowing for the money to take care of the people in your own neighborhood, it keeps the consumption of gas and deisel to a minimum because these products don’t need to be shipped anywhere. Buying local is a great place to start to reduce your consumption of oil.
Before buying any product, ask yourself… “Do I honestly need this?” It is probably one of the hardest questions you will ever ask yourself. It will even be harder to answer honestly. Even, myself, I struggle with it. But not asking has lead to this dependency upon oil and so it will probably hurt more to ask than not to ask, in the long run.
If it is something you truly need, ask yourself… “Is there a less harmful alternative I can be content with?” Search for alternatives. If there is no alternative then ask yourself, “Do I have to buy it new? Could I be just as content with a used item?” Remember, buying things used is a form of Reducing, Recycling and Reusing.
If you absolutely feel the need to buy it brand new (or even if you buy it used), always continue to follow through with the other two R’s (recycle and reuse). Before disposing of the product (in fact, maybe, even before buying the product) ask yourself… “Is this product recyclable or reusable?” You may be surprised at the answer. Most products ARE recyclable or reusable in one way or another.
I don’t just mean that it can go into your recycle bin (because many recyclable and reusable items can’t). I mean that with a little effort you can find SOMEONE out there that needs what you have finished needing. Auction Sites, Thrift Stores and Flea Markets are full of them. Not only that, if you dispose of your unneeded products in that manner you actually can make a little (or a lot of) money. Also, check to see if there are any recycled art artists in your area. They are always looking for free or cheap things they can use for their art.
If we all followed these conscientious steps, as consumers, maybe, just maybe, we would truly decrease our dependency for oil.