1–Use less plastic. Not just bottles, but ALL plastic. Period. Bring your own bags to the grocery store, or ask for paper instead. When your Tupperware or GladWare finally gives up the ghost, switch to mason jars or Pyrex containers. They’ll last longer (if you don’t drop them from huge heights, anyway) and they don’t leech into your food. Buy clothes made from natural fibers rather than synthetic ones, unless you’re allergic. And if you’ve got to buy polyester or rayon, at least go to a thrift or vintage store. Buy stuff that needs a purpose rather than something some kid made in a sweatshop in Thailand.

2–Use fewer detergents, which are made from petroleum. Switch to soap, which isn’t. Unless your dermatologist forbids it, use soap instead of body wash, too. It’s also more detergent than soap. Didn’t know there was a difference? Take it from someone who knows, and have a gander over here: http://www.clearwatersoapworks.com/site/1501105/page/588981

3–Since the oceans may now be FUBAR, try to offset it by helping other parts of the environment. Plant a tree. Clean up litter from the side of the road. Hang your clothes to dry. Recycle everything. Repurpose damn near everything. Compost. Speaking of which. . .

4–Grow some of your own food, or buy from local farmers, at least. Not only will you know where your food comes from, you’ll support your local economy, AND help use less oil due to buying fewer shipped goods.

And I’m spent. *flops back in her office chair*

It damn sure feels like that, yeah.

– c.

I don’t entirely disagree, and I see your point, but as it stands, that’s a bit dramatic. (Says the guy who said something about murdering lobbyists. I keed! I keed!) Thing is, yes, we want cheap gas. And that’s dumb. Me, I want expensive gas. In the long run, it’ll push us faster toward energy independence. When gas prices were high, everybody was getting freaked out. Prices went low, and we Americans get sleepy. Low prices are like ether to the average American.

That said, I don’t demand my PS3 (or, appropriately, Xbox 360) games are in plastic. Someone else made that decision.

Further, if I say, “Gosh, I really want cheap meat,” it doesn’t excuse unethical practices to get that meat. I agree that we need to have a greater sense of consequence, but that doesn’t mean we *asked* for it, either.

As for the five parties, who are they? I know: BP, Halliburton, and the US government. Who else?

– c.

Let’s get things straight:

1. they are one of 5 responsible parties, but the only one not hiding in the shadows
2. oil companies do what they do because there is demand. Stop driving our cars and buying plastic-encased PS3 games and there is no demand.

This shit sucks, but WE asked for it.