Could You Live Without Oil?
Most people have a healthy level of skepticism regarding oil companies. They have been involved in environmental disasters, human rights abuses and many of us would rather do without them in the world. However, this poses an interesting question: Could you live without oil? To explore this issue letâs look into the basics of our lives and how we could all cut down on our petroleum consumption.
How do you keep yourself clean without the help of oil? We use it in our water heaters, and even in the cleansing products we use. The truth is, if youâre determined to have a hot shower from the tap, itâs almost impossible to free yourself from oil completely. However, for the dedicated there are some options.
Bucket showers or sponge baths with water collected either from onsite wells or rainwater reservoirs can keep you clean and green. For those in cold climates, heating the water can be done through solar panel heaters. And for those worried about the chemicals/petroleum in the products they use, there are a range of all natural soaps that can be used on hair and body and come in a variety of green packaging.
For clothes, thereâs no better method than the bucket wash. Iâve personally used it for years, along with drying my clothes on a line. It is time consuming, and itâs not nearly as convenient as a washing machine. However, it can cut gallons off water waste and save a ton on electricity. Also just another small benefit: toned arms.
It is likely that your primary consumption of oil comes from your method of transportation. Even public transport, with few exceptions, uses petrol in their vehicles. So while mass transit is a good solution, it does not help one live an oil free life.
Enter the bicycle. Not only is it an efficient way to get around that millions around the world use daily, but itâs environmentally friendly and a wonderful form of daily exercise. Although many Americans find the use of bikes inconvenient, in countries such as Holland they are used daily by those in every strata of society. For difficult rides to formal workspaces, a change of clothes and wet washcloth can provide the level of professionalism necessary.
However, an even better option is to try to live near your place of work. Of course itâs not always an option, but itâs worth checking out. Not only is it a refreshing way to start your morning, but walking to work introduces0 you to local shops and cafes you might have otherwise passed by in your car.
When it comes to buying food with a low oil factor, it is imperative to buy local. Researching who produces the local cheeses, dairy, meats, vegetables and flours should be your number one goal. Of course what you buy will be influenced heavily by your diet, but eating with a low oil impact just means learning how to produce your own basics. It might sound hard, but most of our grandparents could cook bread from scratch, dehydrate their own meats and can their own produce, which are all skills that are worth knowing. It also means buying fresh produce and meats, and cutting down on plastic packaging (which is made with oil).
If you have a yard, starting a garden can be a great approach to sustaining your own food source. However, for those who live in apartments or cold climates, indoor vegetable and herb gardens are a great alternative. As an added bonus, learning how to preserve your own veggies can help you eat locally year round.
In terms of cooking, this can be a stretch. Whether you use gas or electricity youâll be using oil. However, you can cut this down considerably. Using pressure cookers can reduce cooking times by more than 60%. Also cooking large batches at once and using efficient equipment (such as glass instead of metal) can help reduce cooking times. For the very dedicated, solar cookers are available.
When it comes to electricity, the most obvious solution might be solar panels. While there are issues regarding solar panel waste, and the chemicals within them, for those who live in cities this is likely your best option. If you live in a rural area, it might be possible to use wind as well.
If you are relocating or buying property in a particular area, study the climate and try to choose a dwelling that is built to withstand these particular climate needs. For instance, where I live in Uganda, houses are made with high ceilings, cement floors and vents to increase air flow. Because of this, despite being two hours from the equator, Iâve never needed air conditioning. My home always remains about 10 degrees cooler than outside temperatures.
Keeping appliances unplugged when not in use, switching to energy efficient item and sizing down your appliances will also help. For instance, if you are single, you might not need a full size fridge.
If you are reading this, you realize it is impossible to not engage the petroleum sector at all. After all you are using a computer, made with parts that require electricity and petroleum. Yet many companies including Apple, Dell and HP have come out with green computer models that use recycled parts that can later be recycled again after you upgrade to a new model. Also donât forget to ensure your computer uses power saving modes, like hibernate, when not in use (read: no screen savers).
It has been said that all oil does is give us the illusion of an easy life, free of work. Yet our everyday choices can still have a drastic impact on how much petroleum we do use. With a little knowledge, and a tiny bit of effort, we can all reduce our oil waste considerably.