Plastic bags, however you use them, is one reason for an increase in petroleum production in Middle Eastern countries.
How greasy is that outfit you’re wearing? People don’t always realize that today’s modern fabrics may contain petroleum. And petroleum is used in a surprising number of consumer items. Petroleum production and consumption increases greenhouse gases and means more drilling, especially in the Middle East. With the recent increase in oil consumption in the region, residents are polluting their own backyard.
The Eco MENA (Middle East and North Africa) community shares important tips for consuming less oil. Reducing petroleum consumption helps green the Middle East, and the whole planet. Are you aware of how many ways you use petroleum daily? Follow these guidelines to cut back:
1. Carpool, cycle or use public transport to go to work. If you must drive, try hyper-miling to save gas.
2. Avoid buying plastic, or products stored in plastic containers. Plastic is made from petroleum. According to Umra, about 4 percent of the world’s annual oil production goes into the plastic, and another 4% provides the energy to make it.
3. Buy organic fruits and vegetables. Fertilisers and pesticides are often petroleum-based.
4. Buy beauty products (shampoo, soap, make-up) based on natural ingredients, not oil.
5. Cboose locally produced products whenever you can. Fuel usage goes down because the goods travel shorter distances.
6. Buy clothes made out of organic cotton or hemp, not from oil derivatives. Bamboo chadors, anyone? And don’t forget about the bedclothes. Petroleum hides in synthetic fibers such as acrylic, nylon, polyester, fabric coatings, and buttons.
7. Instead of relying on plastic or paper disposable dishes, learn to wash dishes using a minimum of water.
8. Stop buying bottled water and soft drinks.
9. Fly less. Air travel accounts for 3-5% of carbon dioxide emissions.
10. Demand that your government encourage renewable energy instead of subsidizing oil
Demand that your government lower taxes on smaller cars with low fuel consumption, improve public transportation, and make the streets bicycle and pedestrian-friendly.
More green lifestyle posts:
The Most Effective PR Campaign in Israel’s History: Protecting Wildflowers
Breastfeeding and Keeping Up with Supply and Demand
Are Green Garbage Bags Environmentally Friendly?
Top image via ontwerplus
Lower image via wonderlane
Author: Hannah Katsman
Hannah learned environmentalism from her mother, a conservationist before it was in style. Once a burglar tried to enter their home in Cincinnati after noticing the darkened windows (covered with blankets for insulation) and the snow-covered car in the driveway. Mom always set the thermostat for 62 degrees Fahrenheit (17 Celsius) — 3 degrees lower than recommended by President Nixon — because “the thermostat is in the dining room, but the stove’s pilot light keeps the kitchen warmer.” Her mother would still have preferred today’s gas-saving pilotless stoves. Hannah studied English in college and education in graduate school, and arrived in Petach Tikva in 1990 with her husband and oldest child. Her mother died suddenly six weeks after Hannah arrived and six weeks before the first Gulf War, and Hannah stayed anyway. She has taught English but her passion is parental education and support, especially breastfeeding. She recently began a new blog about energy- and time-efficient meal preparation called CookingManager.Com. You can find her thoughts on parenting, breastfeeding, Israeli living and women in Judaism at A Mother in Israel. Hannah can be reached at hannahk (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
