OIL ADDICT CONFESSES

Examining the presence of oil in her own life, LA Times writer Elizabeth Douglass concludes, “Oil is just way too useful. Its byproducts are almost everywhere, and my daily life practically oozes petroleum…”

Douglass asserts that no moment before has had the urgent triple motives of now to break the oil addiction: Skyrocketing gas prices, peaking crude supplies and global climate change.

From the global to the particular, Douglass outwits the most troubling conundrum of modern life: To the question of “paper or plastic” Douglass says the only good answer is durable, reusable tote bags (preferably made from organic materials, NewEnergyNews might add).

When her investigation reveals how utterly entwined with modern life petroleum and its byproducts are, she is forced to a serious conclusion: “Recovering from this addiction is going to be tough. Still, it's not hopeless.”

Recommended by the article's writer and HIGHLY recommended by NewEnergyNews. (click to enlarge)

Addicted to oil
Elizabeth Douglass, March 30, 2008 (LA Times)

WHO
LA Times writer Elizabeth Douglass

Hard to get away from them. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
Douglass describes how pervasive petroleum products are in contemporary life and investigates ways the average citizen’s oil addiction can be taken through a 12-step program.

WHEN
It is never too soon to start changing for the better. Do it yesterday.

click to enlarge

WHERE
The kitchen, the garage, other rooms

Recommended by the article's writer. (click to enlarge)

WHY
- In her garage, Douglass pledges to use public transportation more and to switch from gas-powered to electric lawn tools.
- Plastic handled tools and oil-based car-cleaning products can be replaced with recycled products listed by the state of California or going organic.
- In the kitchen, Douglass urges the purchase of newer, more efficient Energy Star certified appliances.
- Plastic grocery bags can be replaced by reusables.
- Plastic water bottles must be eliminated for reusables or recycled. Douglass offers tips.
- In her home office, Douglass found that her printer’s inks are derived from petroleum, and decides to cut back on unnecessary printing.
- She considers the enormous waste of petroleum-associated natural gas-generated power when electronics are left plugged into power strips that aren’t turned off.
- She describes William McDonough’s brilliant Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Design Protocol and sees the wisdom in a commitment to use recycled products and recycle what she uses.
- She once again urges the purchase of Energy Star certified kitchen appliances and electronics.

Always a good choice.

QUOTES
- Douglass: “…To rid myself of products tied to oil and its carbon cousin, natural gas, I would have to pull up my carpet and pitch my cosmetics. My premium-gas-gulping car would get the heave-ho. So would the chemicals that keep my pool clean…In my bathroom alone, there's my toothbrush and toothpaste, plus shampoo and other hair products, hand cream, face lotions, nail polish, rubbing alcohol, bandages, deodorant, contact lens cases and solutions, brushes, combs, plastic pill containers, throw rugs, razors, paint on the walls, finish on the fake wood cabinets, the plastic toilet seat, plastic parts in the toilet, shower head and shower door, caulking, drain stoppers and so on…chemicals derived from oil and natural gas [are used to make] adhesives, medicines, inks, plastic resins, synthetic rubber, nylon, detergents and the like...”
- Douglass: “There's a lot of action in any kitchen, so it's a good place to start changing habits and chipping away at petroleum use…”
- Douglass: “The garage is home to our most profligate petroleum users…”
- Douglass: “I deserve a big fat "F" in my home office, mostly because I print out almost everything I need to read…”