Comments on: Should we be boycotting BP? http://idealistcafe.com/blog/environment/should-we-be-boycotting-bp/ Idealist Cafe -- A Lifestyle Project ... Writing and sharing thoughts about adventure, health, sustainability, travel, technology, personal development, and inspired living Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:10:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Russ http://idealistcafe.com/blog/environment/should-we-be-boycotting-bp/comment-page-1/#comment-1169 Russ Wed, 19 May 2010 23:05:53 +0000 http://idealistcafe.com/blog/?p=563#comment-1169 Peter, thanks for reading and commenting. Also, excellent points you've raised. Regarding you second point, it is amazing when you start considering how much petroleum is involved in our daily lives. Most people probably relate oil to driving and possibly heating their homes, yet they fail realize that oil plays a significant part of every aspect of their lives, including (as you mentioned) their baby diapers, babies toys, fertilizer used to produce their food (if not organic), plastic bags, to dish soap (if not vegetable based), and beyond that due to its use in the production and transportation of most consumables. Peter, thanks for reading and commenting. Also, excellent points you’ve raised. Regarding you second point, it is amazing when you start considering how much petroleum is involved in our daily lives. Most people probably relate oil to driving and possibly heating their homes, yet they fail realize that oil plays a significant part of every aspect of their lives, including (as you mentioned) their baby diapers, babies toys, fertilizer used to produce their food (if not organic), plastic bags, to dish soap (if not vegetable based), and beyond that due to its use in the production and transportation of most consumables.

]]> By: Peter Tate http://idealistcafe.com/blog/environment/should-we-be-boycotting-bp/comment-page-1/#comment-1168 Peter Tate Wed, 19 May 2010 22:50:21 +0000 http://idealistcafe.com/blog/?p=563#comment-1168 You have two issues here. 1. Should we boycott companies for bad behaviour? I say yes if the company activities generally conflict with our values. You can feel silly (I do) but you need to see it is a personal stand for your own moral code. Boycotting as a punitive act for a single situation I'd say no but you can still write to the CEO and complain! You should do that especially if you are boycotting. 2. How can we reduce oil dependency? More critical than we realise because of the probable Peak Oil issue, not just climate change. Reducing oil dependency is not just about reducing car usage its about becoming more local and organic in our supply chains, realising where petrochemicals are used and finding alternatives - look at plastics, drugs, fertilizers (major issue!!!) in fact most everyday items and activities. Eg. do you realise that a single baby uses between 4500-6000 nappies from birth to potty? - the petrochemical content in those are the equivalent of 25 tanks of gas! We just throw them away ... You may be interested in the transition town movement? Take a look at http://www.transitionnetwork.org/ You have two issues here.

1. Should we boycott companies for bad behaviour? I say yes if the company activities generally conflict with our values. You can feel silly (I do) but you need to see it is a personal stand for your own moral code. Boycotting as a punitive act for a single situation I’d say no but you can still write to the CEO and complain! You should do that especially if you are boycotting.

2. How can we reduce oil dependency? More critical than we realise because of the probable Peak Oil issue, not just climate change. Reducing oil dependency is not just about reducing car usage its about becoming more local and organic in our supply chains, realising where petrochemicals are used and finding alternatives – look at plastics, drugs, fertilizers (major issue!!!) in fact most everyday items and activities. Eg. do you realise that a single baby uses between 4500-6000 nappies from birth to potty? – the petrochemical content in those are the equivalent of 25 tanks of gas! We just throw them away …

You may be interested in the transition town movement? Take a look at http://www.transitionnetwork.org/

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