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Upset About the San Francisco Bay Oil Spill?
Nov 13, 2007
Ten Things You Can Do If You're Upset About the San Francisco Bay Oil 
Spill

It isn't pretty when an addict hits rock bottom, and this week's oil 
spill in the San Francisco Bay was rock bottom for many of us who know 
our country is addicted to oil. With our dependence on foreign oil, 
spills like this are bound to happen, as are other harms to our 
environment. Instead of getting depressed, let's take action - the kind 
of serious and sustained action that will break America's addiction to 
oil once and for all. Here's what you can do:

1. Get out of your car and onto BART, a bus or a bike. Our collective 
addiction to our gas guzzling cars means that the transportation sector 
alone accounts for more than two-thirds of all oil consumption in the 
U.S. You have the power to change this. Start out with giving up your 
car at least one day a week and use public transportation, walk, bike, 
or telecommute.

2. Call Congress NOW. In poll after poll, Americans are saying we want 
government action to stop climate change and end the U.S. addiction to 
oil, so why isn't Congress taking action? Call your Representative and 
Senators and tell them they should cut off subsidies to oil and gas 
companies, demand the auto industry build fuel efficient, zero-emission 
cars, and increase investment in public transportation and clean, 
renewable energy sources. Congressional switchboard: 202-224-3121.

3. Demand cleaner cars from the auto companies. Instead of giving the 
public what it wants, more fuel-efficient vehicles, the US auto 
industry continues to build gas guzzlers and fight states' attempts to 
reduce global warming pollution from tailpipes-like CA's progressive 
Pavely Law. Join Global Exchange's effort to clean up the auto 
industry. Find out how at www.freedomfromoil.com.

4. Get your city to sign on to the Kyoto Protocol, pass a green fleets 
resolution or adopt other green policies. Every city in the Bay Area 
should be a model green city. If your city hasn't already endorsed the 
"Climate Protection Agreement," which embraces the emissions reductions 
targets outlined in the Kyoto Protocol, now is the time to get your 
city council on board. Some 500 U.S. mayors have already signed on. 
(See http://www.kyotousa.org/index.php) You can also campaign to get 
your city to commit to purchasing and leasing only the most fuel 
economic cars and trucks available. Download a Greenfleets Packet at 
out the campus resources at http://www.energyaction.net/.

5. Protest oil wars. Oil was a driving factor behind the US invasion of 
Iraq and has the dangerous potential to fuel future wars. The Iraq war 
has already resulted in the deaths of more than 3,800 US troops and 
some half a million or more Iraqis. Meanwhile, the US military is the 
largest single consumer of petroleum in the country, so as the military 
grows, so does our addiction to fossil fuels. Join the movement to 
bring our troops home and stop the next war now: www.unitedforpeace.org 

6. Buy local. Supporting local businesses is good for the environment, 
because it cuts down on fuel consumption; it reduces the need to ship 
goods from thousands of miles away and the distance shoppers travel. 
Buying local has other benefits as well - local businesses produce more 
income, jobs, and tax receipts for local communities than big box 
stores do. To find local San Francisco businesses, go to 
http://www.sfloma.org. For farmers' markets, check 

7. Invest your money in green companies. While big banks like Citi and 
Bank of America are the primary funders of coal - a leading source of 
global greenhouse gas emissions - there are many places where you can 
invest your money and know that it's going toward the development of a 
cleaner, greener America. Look into socially responsible investing, and 
learn how to ensure your investments support a green future.

8. Support fair trade, not "free" trade. Our current "free" trade 
economy is based on providing consumers with low-cost goods that don't 
include the costs to the environment or to workers. We need a trade 
system that protects people and the planet. We need to call for a 
reduction of oil consumption and greenhouse gas production during 
transit. We need fair trade, not "free" trade. Learn more at 

9. Educate your friends, family and coworkers about what they can do. 
If we want to make dramatic changes in our country, we can't do it 
alone. We need to enlist everyone we know. As a beginning, share this 
list.

10. Donate time or money to a group that protects our Bay and our 
environment. There are hundreds of organization that are dedicated to 
protecting our natural environment - Save the Bay, San Francisco 
Baykeeper, Global Exchange, Friends of the Earth, Rainforest Action 
Network, International Rivers Network, Amazon Watch, and many others. 
The success of their programs depends on you.

Global Exchange is an international human rights organization based in 
San Francisco. We advance economic and environmental justice by 
empowering people locally and connecting them globally to resist 
injustice, envision alternatives and take action! 
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Posted: Nov 13, 2007 5:32pm

 
 
 
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Author

Indio Blanco
male, age 62, married, 3 children
Cambria, CA, USA
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