Dear Editor,
I would appreciate anonymity on this… because OMG it’s a can of worms, but I think people need to think. Although I agree in theory what the people of Belize did on Saturday May 16, 2015 to show support for the “No Offshore Drilling” campaign, the photos I’ve seen of some of the folks that were there leave me a bit perplexed. I do consider myself somewhat of an environmentalist and think it’s very important to keep the reef and the waters the pristine way they are.
To make it clear, I am “pro” No Belize Offshore Drilling, however, I wonder how many people burn oil or use things that are made from oil (and may not even realize it) in their everyday lives. I only write this because I believe it is necessary to not only have knowledge of a certain subject or cause, but to use that knowledge wisely when making a public declaration of something…which is the only reason why I didn’t go (because I’m not even close to being truly green… yet). No, I don’t want the drilling to happen in my own “back yard” but I cannot in good conscience protest something that I believe is wrong for the entire world only because it happens to be so close to home. I believe in finding solutions to problems, not (only) supporting a cause for one day. Just so you are aware, below is an extensive list of things that many of us use that are made with oil. If we are going to make a difference everyone must find alternatives to using these items. It’s a huge undertaking…. are we prepared to do it?
/s/ Name Withheld by Request
Things Made from Oil That We Use Daily (a partial list)
Agriculture: plastic ties, row covers, irrigation piping, polyethylene, polypropylene, bags and packaging, pesticides and herbicides, food preservatives, fertilizers.
Clothing and Textiles: ballet tights, nylon cord, everything polyester: blouses, pants, pajamas etc., everything permanent press: shirts, dresses etc., beads, bracelets, pantyhose, nylon zippers, plastic hangers, purses, thongs and flip flops, earrings, ribbons, fake fur, windbreakers, sandals, garment bags, shoe laces, rain coats, iron-on patches, sneakers, sweaters, sofa pillow material, tote bags, umbrellas
Around the Office: ball point pens, ink, computers, business card holders, copiers, waste baskets, calculators, printer cartridges, microfilm, name tags, binders, erasers, rulers, scotch tape, magic markers, telephones
Sports, Hobbies and Games: backpacks, fishing lures, air mattresses, cameras, beach balls, fishing poles, hang gliders, vinyl cases, footballs, glue containers, puzzles, darts, Frisbees, golf ball and golf bags, shotgun shells, ear plugs, knitting needles, waterproof clothing, stadium cushions, earphones, yarn, kites, tennis racquets, fabric dye, decoys, lifejackets, nylon strings, face protectors, volley balls, model cars, plastic water guns, fishing bobbers, soccer balls, oil paints, parachutes, light sticks, earphones, playing cards, photographs, monofilament fishing lines, diving boards, poker chips, goggles, roller-skate and skateboard wheels, whistles, guitar strings, picks, rafts, ice chests, tents, sleeping bags, pole vaulting poles, motorcycle helmets, skis, water skis, rubber cement, plastic flowerpots, hot tub covers, sails, snorkels, monkey bars, photo albums, wet suits, flippers, tennis balls, boats, insulated boots
Infants and Children: acrylic toys, baby oil, laundry baskets, waterproof pants, baby aspirin, bath soap, mittens, pacifiers, baby blankets, bibs, rattles, double-knit shirts, baby bottles, disposable diapers, baby shoes, teething rings, nipples and binkies, dolls, stuffed animals, baby lotion
Health Care and Medical: allergy medication, cotton-tipped swabs, inhalers, liquid Pepto-Bismol, aspirin, first aid cream, lancets, pill cases, band aids, first aid kits, latex gloves, prescription bottles, burn lotion, glycerin, mosquito spray, rubbing alcohol, chap stick, heart valve replacement, nasal decongestant, surgical tape, syringes, Vaseline, antiseptics, hearing aids, anesthetics, artificial limbs, eyeglasses and sunglasses, antihistamines, cortisone, vaporizers, denture adhesives, laxatives, Bactine, oxygen masks, stethoscopes, prescription glasses, cough syrup, hearing aids
Kitchen and Household: vinegar, bottles, egg cartons, meat trays, trash bags, breadboxes, freezer containers, melamine dishware, tumblers, cake decorations, jars, microwave dishes, utensils, candles, freezer bags, milk jugs, vacuum bottles, coasters, gelatin molds, nylon spatulas, wax paper, coffee pots, ice cream scoops, oven bags, mops, drinking cups, ice trays, plastic containers, fabric softener, detergent, bottles, plastic table service, drain stoppers, dish drainers, lunch boxes, pudding molds, sponges, dish scrubbers, brushes, baggies, drinking straws, Styrofoam, paper cup dispensers, measuring cups, Teflon coated pans, table cloths, refrigerator shelves
Beauty: cologne, hair brushes, lipstick, permanent wave curlers, perfume hair color, mascara, petroleum jelly, comb, foam rubber curlers, shampoo, contact lenses and cases, hair spray, hand lotion, shaving foam, hair dryers, shoe inserts, dentures, body lotion, face masks, skin cleanser, deodorants, moisturizing cream, soap holders, disposable razors, leather conditioner, mouthwash, sunglasses, facial , toner, lens cleanser, nail polish, sunscreen, tooth brushes, toothpaste tubes, vitamins, synthetic wigs, bubble bath, soap capsules
Furnishings: carpet padding, Naugahyde, Venetian blinds, TV cabinets, extension cords, picture frames, flocked wallpaper, shower doors, Formica, refrigerator lining, vinyl wallpaper, curtains, kitchen carpet, shag carpet, welcome mats, fan blades, lamps, shower curtain, patio furniture, swings, linoleum, upholstery, rugs
Building and Home: caulking material, light switch plates, plungers, faucet washers, clotheslines, measuring tape, polyurethane stain, water pipes, electric saws, paintbrushes, propane bottles, wood floor cleaner/wax, vinyl electrical tape, plastic pipe, shingles (asphalt), light panels, garden hoses, plastic wood, spackling paste, awnings, glazing compound, Plexiglas, spray paint, enamel, epoxy paint, artificial turf, folding doors, floor wax, glue, house paint, paint rollers, toilet seats, water pipes, putty, solvents, roofing material, plywood adhesive, sockets, propane
Automotive: antifreeze, flat tire fix, street paving (asphalt), car battery cases, coolant, motor oil, tires, loud speakers, bearing grease, sports car bodies, traffic cones, car enamel, brake fluid, dashboards, windshield wipers, visors, car sound insulation, oil filters, car seats, convertible tops, fan belts, gasoline
Miscellaneous: ash trays, dog food dishes, toolboxes, CDs and DVDs, balloons, dog leashes, tape, recorders, synthetic rubber, bubble gum, dog toys, flashlights, nylon ropes, bungee straps, flight bags, disposable lighters, flea collars, flutes, lighter fluid, cigarette cases, electric blankets, tool racks, name tags, cigarette filters, ammonia, newspaper tubes, calibrated containers, insect repellent, crayons, ice buckets, dyes, pillows, credit cards, flashlights, fly swatters, plastic cup holders, dice, movie and camera film, k-resin, rain bonnets, luggage, video cassettes, charcoal lighter, rayon, safety glasses, gloves, hats, shoe polish, signs, toys, watch bands, waterproof boots, shopping bags, bedspreads, checkbooks, clothes hangers, flea collars, masking tape, safety flares, flags, butane.