With the global economy going down the toilet, the world’s politicians are scrambling to bailout antiquated systems of commerce and trade that will continue to support our wasteful lifestyles. We advocate that any bailout money would be better spent on mitigating climate change and creating a greener economy. Propping up out inefficient and unsustainable systems of living, trade and finance are just going to delay the inevitable recessions. Eventually the world is going to need to bailout the planet, better we start now rather than in another 10-20 years.
In order to help you tighten your belt for the global financial crisis, we put together our green recession survival guide – a guide to living more lightly and working towards kicking our reliance on oil. Now is as good a time as any to start learning to live on a whole lot less.
Unfortunately, many of the developing nations have intrinsically interwoven their food security with oil.
Grow Food. Food security is already a major issue and is only going to get worse. Unfortunately, many of the developing nations have intrinsically interwoven their food security with oil. From the pesticides and fertilizers, to the oil to run machines and transport the food long distances, our North American food system uses so much oil that it takes about 1,000 litres of oil to grow food on 1 hectare of land, explains Hijacked Future.
Winter is starting in North America and there are many hardy winter crops that grow well in our climate – kale, leeks, and collards. If your climate is too cold, build a greenhouse that will allow you to grow your own food all year round. Backyard agriculture will save you a lot of money, promote self-sufficiency and provide the family with nutritious, healthy vegetables year round.
Eat Less. In Defence of Food, author Michael Pollan suggests that we should eat smaller portions and consume more plants. The World Health Organization reports that more than a billion people are overweight, more than 300 million of whom are considered obese compared to the 800 million who do not have enough to eat. We can all eat a bit less food.
Eat Less Meat. North Americans practice some of the cruelest factory farming methods in the world, consume the most meat of any other nation on earth and represent some of the most overweight population in the world.
Somewhere, someone, or something, is paying the price for North American’s cheap meat. Much of the meat industry in North America is based on the ability to utilize industrial farming methods to create cheap corn to feed livestock. The cheap corn is produced through the use of machinery and chemicals – both of which are reliant on oil. The American government also heavily subsidizes the corn industry. Without the subsidies the American corn industry couldn’t function as it does.
Whether it is through government subsidies, agri-business supplying genetically modified corn to feed animals, the factory farmed animals suffering to make meat and eggs as efficient and economical as possible, the destruction of land and water systems from pesticide and chemical use, or from the greenhouse gases created from oil-intensive farming methods, it seems the entire world ultimately pays the price for North America’s overconsumption of meat and other food resources.
Let’s be frank, the oil companies have had us, well, over a barrel.
Drive Less. Let’s be frank, the oil companies have had us, well, over an oil barrel. Time to take matters into our own hands and wallets and stop driving. Nothing says I don’t support the destruction of the Boreal Forest in Alberta to access the oil sands and I don’t support the ‘war’ in Iraq, more than giving up your car. No longer should we be beholden to the psychopathic oil cartel – OPEC - and no more should we allow the destruction of the environment, or other countries cultures, for the sake of our driving convenience. Take a bus, carpool, hitchhike, ride your bike or walk. Start simply and work up to living a car-free life.
Get Off The Grid. Start by cutting down your electricity use – you know all the basics – turn down the thermostat, put on a sweater, wash clothes in cold water only, use a laundry line, etc. Once you get more accustomed to not wasting so much electricity and your bills lower, then gradually make the switch to installing alternative energy systems in your home. Solar panels and geothermal heat pumps will both recoup their initial outlay within 5 to 10 years, dependent upon how much energy your household needs, or wastes, and where you live.
In the USA more than 99% of stuff that people buy ends up in the garbage within 6 months of purchase.
Invest Green. The only industry that is guaranteed to grow is the green energy sector. With oil and natural gas reserves running out, the world is going to have to find another source of cheap energy. Wind, wave, and solar all offer infinite possibilities. We can facilitate the shift to cleaner energy sources by investing in a better, greener future.
Stop Buying Things. This is probably the exact opposite of what the governments are going to tell us, but we have to start learning to live with less. We need to covet less, to need less, to have less. The Story of Stuff reports that in the USA more than 99% of stuff that people buy ends up in the garbage within 6 months of purchase. If you have to buy something – buy used.
We really don’t need any more people on the planet polluting – at least not until we have things sorted out a bit better.
Use Birthcontrol. Children are expensive and take up a lot of resources. Until the world is a bit more balanced, consider not having a biological child. If you would like to a have a little one in your life (and they are simply delightful), consider adopting. We really don’t need any more people on the planet polluting – at least not until we have things sorted out a bit better. This is particularly true if you are from one of the top consuming nations in the world – the USA, Canada and Saudi Arabia.
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