Cars, Gas and Our Environment

I would like to extend my condolences to the oil companies who struggle to keep up with the energy demands of the United States and the exploding demands in China and India. As a small business owner, I can't help but to occasionally shed a small tear for your profits that extend only into the trillions of dollars. *I need a time-out here-I've become vaklempt*

Are we then to believe that it is the increased demands for petroleum that is driving the cost of gasoline into the stratosphere? Well, let's consider HOW WE CAN SIGNIFICANTLY LESSEN that demand and help to control costs.

1. Be mindful of everything that you consume that is petroleum based and choose, whenever possible, products that are packaged or manufactured differently. 14 plastic bags are equivalent to the petroleum it takes to drive ONE mile.

2. WALK or ride a bicycle whenever you can. We can all use the exercise. Even if we have high mileage cars with low emissions we are still emitting and consuming.

3. Be mindful of your driving errands and try to combine errands to avoid multiple trips to the same area.

4. Car pool or offer to run an errand for a neighbor or friend when you're out. Do 6 people in the same neighborhood ALL need to go to the store for soy milk at once?

5. WRITE to companies who package what you use in plastic and DEMAND that their packaging change! Frozen vegetables, for example, can be packaged in waxed cardboard boxes. In what were items packaged before plastic was invented?

6. How many baggies or Ziploc bags do you use? When can you use waxed paper, foil, reusable containers? MOST OF THE TIME! I rarely use them. I've had one box for over a year.

7. Garbage? What about paper lawn waste bags? Wrap up what you can't compost in newspaper like people did before plastic bags began to ruin our planet.

8. CLOTH diapers. (Use a diaper service if you don't have time to manage the extra laundry.)

9. TURN IT OFF! When you leave a room, turn off the lights and televisions, etc. Unplug TV's radios, computers, etc. when everyone is going to be out of the room for several hours.

10. BUY used. You'll save loads of money and help the enviromnent-no matter what. Remember, manufacturing requires energy, resources and frequently gallons and gallons of water and some chemicals.

One person practicing lesser energy consumption may not impact the price of gas much but MILLIONS and MILLIONS at a time will!

Great items to buy used offered by : vintage this ~ retro that

Pyrex Bowl $10.00

6 Cup Pyrex tea pot: $10.00