All over the media, we have been bombarded with stories about pipelines, oil and gas, the tarsands, and international trade and foreign investment.How much, with whom? and if it's even something we should consider?
Emotions run high with these issues and sometimes people transfer and target their anger to other fantasy targets. People get so worked up in a frenzy they start believing in their own alternate reality.
I am an avid environmentalist at heart and believe in conservation biology I am also a realist and perhaps a bit of an idealist. I also believe in science and technology.
We use petroleum products everyday and we couldn't live without them unless we go back to living in a cave. Yet, there is so much fear and fear mongering going on that some people just follow along and drink the koolaid. Get informed - search for the grain of truth in other opinions and be open minded.
There are mixed feelings all along the path of the proposed Keystone pipeline. Ken Ilgunas is walking the path of the pipeline from Alberta to Texas and his adventures are shared on his blog, Pipe Dreams. http://www.kenilgunas.com/
Strive for justice and peace....
Here is a partial list of products made from Petroleum (144 of 6000 items), what could you live without:
One 42 gallon (159.6 litres) barrel of oil creates 19.4 gallons of gasoline. The rest (over half) is used to make things like:
Solvents
|
Diesel
fuel
|
Motor Oil
|
Bearing Grease
|
Ink
|
Floor Wax
|
Ballpoint Pens
|
Football Cleats
|
Upholstery
|
Sweaters
|
Boats
|
Insecticides
|
Bicycle Tires
|
Sports Car Bodies
|
Nail Polish
|
Fishing lures
|
Dresses
|
Tires
|
Golf Bags
|
Perfumes
|
Cassettes
|
Dishwasher
parts
|
Tool Boxes
|
Shoe Polish
|
Motorcycle Helmet
|
Caulking
|
Petroleum Jelly
|
Transparent Tape
|
CD Player
|
Faucet Washers
|
Antiseptics
|
Clothesline
|
Curtains
|
Food Preservatives
|
Basketballs
|
Soap
|
Vitamin Capsules
|
Antihistamines
|
Purses
|
Shoes
|
Dashboards
|
Cortisone
|
Deodorant
|
Footballs
|
Putty
|
Dyes
|
Panty Hose
|
Refrigerant
|
Percolators
|
Life Jackets
|
Rubbing Alcohol
|
Linings
|
Skis
|
TV Cabinets
|
Shag Rugs
|
Electrician's Tape
|
Tool Racks
|
Car Battery Cases
|
Epoxy
|
Paint
|
Mops
|
Slacks
|
Insect Repellent
|
Oil Filters
|
Umbrellas
|
Yarn
|
Fertilizers
|
Hair Coloring
|
Roofing
|
Toilet Seats
|
Fishing Rods
|
Lipstick
|
Denture Adhesive
|
Linoleum
|
Ice Cube Trays
|
Synthetic Rubber
|
Speakers
|
Plastic Wood
|
Electric Blankets
|
Glycerin
|
Tennis Rackets
|
Rubber Cement
|
Fishing Boots
|
Dice
|
Nylon Rope
|
Candles
|
Trash Bags
|
House Paint
|
Water Pipes
|
Hand Lotion
|
Roller Skates
|
Surf Boards
|
Shampoo
|
Wheels
|
Paint Rollers
|
Shower Curtains
|
Guitar Strings
|
Luggage
|
Aspirin
|
Safety Glasses
|
Antifreeze
|
Football Helmets
|
Awnings
|
Eyeglasses
|
Clothes
|
Toothbrushes
|
Ice Chests
|
Footballs
|
Combs
|
CD's
& DVD's
|
Paint Brushes
|
Detergents
|
Vaporizers
|
Balloons
|
Sun Glasses
|
Tents
|
Heart Valves
|
Crayons
|
Parachutes
|
Telephones
|
Enamel
|
Pillows
|
Dishes
|
Cameras
|
Anesthetics
|
Artificial Turf
|
Artificial limbs
|
Bandages
|
Dentures
|
Model Cars
|
Folding Doors
|
Hair Curlers
|
Cold cream
|
Movie film
|
Soft Contact lenses
|
Drinking Cups
|
Fan Belts
|
Car Enamel
|
Shaving Cream
|
Ammonia
|
Refrigerators
|
Golf Balls
|
Toothpaste
|
Gasoline
|