News

A non-profit organization is urging Americans to pledge to reduce their oil consumption this weekend (August 21-22).

The group intends to “get at least 166,000 people to join the campaign by committing to 11 actions,” according to a press release.

The 11 actions listed on the organization’s website are:

1. walk or ride your bike,
2. enjoy the outdoors (but don’t buy new equipment, as oil makes up nearly 25 per cent of rubber),
3. use reusable bags,
4. eat local food and less meat,
5. don’t buy new petroleum-based makeup,
6. drink tap water and avoid drinks bottled in plastic,
7. don’t buy new electronics,
8. go to the cinema or stream movies online (oil is a key ingredient in the manufacture and shipping of DVDs/ Blue Ray discs),
9. buy vintage clothes or trade with friends,
10. avoid buying newspapers and magazines and don’t use your printer and
11. sign up three others to help spread the word.

The organization estimates that six gallons (approximately 27 liters) of oil are offset with each person who signs the pledge. At time of publishing 2,440 people had signed up.

To learn more or to sign the pledge yourself, visit weekendwithoutoil.org