Change Your World

Ending oil dependency is up to us all. There are many easy, inexpensive things each and every one of us can do to reduce our consumption of oil. Changing the world also means changing your world. The best thing we can do is conserve; if you have to have it, reuse it, and if you absolutely cannot reuse it, recycle it. Make a change to help fight oil’s grip on our society and world.

Increase Your Miles Per Gallon

Increasing your miles per gallon (MPG) not only saves fuel, but also reduces harmful emissions that negatively impact health and the environment and saves you money.  Why use fuel if you don’t need to? Unnecessary consumption increases your cost, puts further demands on the supply of oil, and harms our health and environment. Increasing your MPG is an inexpensive, significant, and easy way to conserve fuel.



Shop at Farmers Markers or Join a CSA

By buying from farmer’s markets and community supported agriculture farms (CSAs), we can reduce the large amount of oil used in growing and transporting food.  In the United States, each of us "eats" more than 400 gallons of oil annually. Farmer’s markets and community supported agriculture farms (CSAs) provide healthy food and support local growers and economies.



Telecommute

For many of us, it is simply not necessary to go to an office to get our work done. Telecommuting can reduce vehicle miles traveled and harmful emissions.  By telecommuting to work instead of using more conventional methods, there is huge potential to save oil.



Push or Plug Your Lawnmower

Small engines are big polluters. There are cleaner, more efficient alternatives to gasoline-powered lawnmowers, leaf and snow blowers, and chain saws.  Reducing the size of your lawn that is manicured is not only good for the environment, but also it will save you time and money on lawn maintenance.



Consider an Alternative Vehicle

It is not necessary to use oil to fuel your car. Driving an alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) has many fuel-security, economic, health, and environmental benefits.  The costs of a vehicle go far beyond the purchase price and the cost of maintenance and fueling.



Let Someone Else Do the Driving
It is simple, public transportation gets cars off the road. All of us benefit from increased investment in, and use of, public transportation as it takes pressure off of the fuel supply and reduces pollution, thus protecting the environment, increasing fuel security, and promoting better health. In addition, using public transport can save you money and reduce your travel time. If you have a choice between using the bus or rail and driving, take public transportation.

Paper Versus Plastic? Neither!

In the great debate between paper versus plastic, it is difficult to find a clear winner. The best choice is neither. Reusable cloth bags are by far the best choice.It seems simple, right? Plastic bags are made from oil (a non-renewable resource), #4 plastic is difficult to recycle, and they can take up to 1,000 years to decompose.



Avoid Single Use/Disposable Products

You will find that durable products not only reduce the consumption of oil and waste, but, in the long term, actually cost less as well.   We can replace many single- and short-use products with reusable equivalents. You will find that durable products not only reduce the consumption of oil and waste, but, in the long term, actually cost less as well.