Since the oil spill in the Gulf began over two months ago, I’ve felt heartsick about the impact on wildlife, the coasts and our precious waters. I use oil. It fills the car. It comprises the raw material for the plastic bottles, containers and bags for groceries that I buy. It makes up the fertilizers used to grow veggies and fruits too. Oil is also an ingredient in detergents and household products. Though it may have had some benefits, the oil intended for making more of these things is now spilling out into our priceless ocean and destroying life and livelihoods.
I’ve wondered what can I do to make a difference? How can I stop the flow? The answer is very practical. While I can’t go plug up the well or take off work to clean up a beach, I can cut down on consuming oil. If BP and other companies are pumping it, it’s because I’m using oil and so are millions of others. I can’t change the world, but I can change my habits.
Cutting down or eliminating household products made from a petroleum base adds a piece to the puzzle of how to move away from oil. Read the labels. Health foods stores and some environmentally conscious companies offer green products that don’t depend on the oil companies. Read the labels and find out which ones have a good reputation for using environmentally sound standards as well.
Think your beauty products are safe from the petro-chemical synthetics? Check the labels. Many are packed with the derivatives of oil. So are many of the clothing items made from synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon and acetate. Food also suffer from the same problem. The wax used to give cucumbers and apples a sheen comes from petrochemicals. But there are alternatiaves.
Unlike traditional farms, organic farms and food companies sometimes forego petroleum-based fertilizers and pesticides. Check into the practices of your favorite companies and don’t forget to bring your wicker basket or cloth bag. When I see the recycling bins at the stores brimming with plastic bags, I’m inspired that people are making efforts, but oil is still the basis. Using recycled paper or a bring-your-own bag policy can make a difference. Some companies are beginning to use corn and plant based “plastics” that are entirely recyclable. Encourage them to keep it up.
Oil is symbolic of energy. We’re moving from the use of energy that is polluting, toxic and environmentally and economically deadly to a more clean, natural, light energy including sun, water and wind. Keep your heart open to possible ways to introduce this new energy as we phase out oil. And remember that the ocean is made up of many drops of water. Every bit of your effort counts.
Bio: Debra Moffitt-Leslie
Debra Moffitt-Leslie’s book,"108 Spiritual Practices for Challenging Times" will be published by Llewellyn Worldwide in 2011. Read more at www.debramoffitt.com Her essays and articles appear in publications around the world and focus on drawing attention to the spiritual in a mostly material-minded world. She’s on the faculty for The Sophia Institute and gives workshops in the U.S. and Europe.
PHOTO (cc): Flickr / marinephotobank
What a awesome 6 hour, thankyou to Dave and all the crew at Roudtuit Caravan park for all the work that went to running this event, well worth marking in the dairy for next year
Zayıflama Lida Fx15 ve Biber Hapı zlfvbh
burmeh yaza lida fx15 biber hapı ile formda girin
Trakya Üniversitesi tabiii en önemliside bize baya bi para getirecek.
burmeh yaza lida fx15 biber hapı ile formda girin his family and particularly the children he had artificially created will be happier and far better off without him, not to mention wealthier.
Trakya Üniversitesi Remember and play his music if you want..it was pretty good but don't for getUcuz Tatil what an absolute failure as man he was. He dies a whiny drug addicted loser.. Save your sorrow for someone worthy