My Plan - Eight Easy Pieces
I. Reduce my dependence on my car.
Action - Buy a bike and use my community's available mass-transit system as much as possible; I'm excited about this because a) I get to to buy a bike with eco-friendly 'forever tires' from Greentyres. I'm thinking pink with a bell and a wicker basket, and b) I'll get to meet new people on the train -- this might be a bit romanticized but for now I'm reminded of my younger days on the NY Subway when every train ride seemed like a departure into adventure. Wheeeee...
II. Reduce my dependence on A/C.
Action - Buy some standing and table fans and get new screens put on the windows. Again, I'm excited because I have an irrational 'thing' for vintage fans and so I get to do some antique shopping. eBay here I come!
III. Eat local foods.
Action - Find out about my local farmers' market and ask my local health food store to label local produce. I'm already a vegetarian so accessing fresh, local fruits and veggies sounds like a treat! Maybe I'll even write that cook book I've been mumbling about for years..."The Slow Urban Veggie Cookbook" anyone?
IV. Find, purchase, and use petrochemical-free products.
Action - Because it turns out that escaping a dependence on oil goes far beyond the issues of transportation, fuel, and plastics (see "Just Like Pelicans, People Can't Avoid Oil Either"), I will learn about petrochemicals in everyday products I depend on; and I will find alternatives. So far, I've found that there are sources online to make my entire bath and beauty regime 100% petrochemical-free. Check out these self pampering goodies:
- for a 100% petrochemical-free hair product (including no plastic bottle or cap) I found a jojoba oil-based shampoo from J.R.Liggett's Old Fashioned Shampoo Bar and/or a honey-based alternative from Burt's Bee's Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar.
- for squeaky-clean karma, Taylor Made Organics offers vegan, cruelty-free, petrochemical-free face creams, cleansers, salves, balms, and moisturizers; Aubrey Organics offers a similar but more extensive line of organic petrochemical-free products.
- for more options, I will check my farmers' markets or local vendors for locally-made natural products; and ask for an ingredients list, when I find a product I like I will be a loyal customer and recommend the products in your community; and stay informed about cosmetics' ingredients generally via Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database.
V. Travel consciously.
Action - Buy 'Carbon Offsets' when I fly or travel long distances. I'm still investigating this but it looks promising. Additionally, I'll ensure all my journeys have a positive ecological or community impact. If I travel for personal reasons, I will volunteer locally or educate about our oceans as part of the trip.
And Blog about it.
VI. Protect my beach.
Action - Monitor the status and health of the lovely little beach behind my lab. It's not famous or pristine but it is nearest to me and I am going to walk its length once or twice a week, keeping it clean and looking out for oil and tar or distressed animals; and I'm going to photo-document any environmental changes. Another opportunity to be outside and near the ocean while taking responsibility. Done.
VII. Know my investments.
Action - Review my retirement plan. I have a standard corporate/university retirement plan comprised mostly of mutual funds which means I don't really know, exactly, what my money is invested in; not cool. I want my money to support 'green' companies that are investing in a sustainable, environmentally friendly future. This might prove the most challenging as it sounds a bit 'dry' but I know it is probably the most important. Consumer awareness combined with good corporate citizenship is clearly KEY (i.e. I won't sleep well at night until I know for sure that none of my retirement investments include BP stock!)
VIII. Stay open to new ideas and solutions; take personal and community action as necessary.
Action - Stay informed. I'm still learning about how to live my most sustainable life so I will investigate what options are available to be less dependent on fossil fuels; and, importantly, I'll share that information with friends and family...whether they want to hear or not. In short, I will advocate, actively, about the direct connection between the choices we each make everyday and their impacts on our oceans. That starts with 350.org and their Crude Awakening Campaign and Oceanic Defense.
This is more than a plan, this is my pledge to the oceans' animals:
I promise to do all of the above and more -- all that is in my power -- to protect you from toxic oil by limiting how much I use every day.
Won't you do the same, please? Join me -- make your own plan and take the same pledge. Thank you!
