Following the recent Deep Horizon Oil Spill, also known as the BP Oil Spill, the largest off shore oil spill in U.S. history in the Gulf of Mexico, we have all be reminded of the fragility of our world and the importance of maintaining an environmentally friendly consciousness at all times. No more so than for the American public who have a notoriously blasé attitude towards carbon emissions. Barak Obama even likened the oil spill to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, “In the same way that our view of our vulnerabilities and our foreign policy was shaped profoundly by 9/11, I think this disaster is going to shape how we think about the environment and energy for many years to come” he said. A refreshing attitude compared with his predecessor.
The oil spill was gushing approximately 35,000 to 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The exact flow rate is not easy to determine due to the difficulty of installing measurement devices at such a depth. The oil slick created spans 2,500 square miles, depending on weather conditions, and scientists have also reported vast underwater plumes of oil which are not able to be seen on the surface. This spill has of course had a grave impact on the marine and wildlife, as well as the fishing and tourism industries in the area, and it continues to do so.
And Obama may be right, this recent disaster may indeed now shape how we now think about our world and what we all, as individuals, should incorporate into our daily lives to make them more ‘green’. When daunted by an enormous environmental disaster like the BP Oil Spill it is often easy to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of environmental issues, we can all too quickly think ‘what difference can I make’ but in fact it is the small thing that each individual tries to do that can amount to a whole lot of good.
Recycling is something most people try and do consistently nowadays. Councils have made it easier for people to recycle with recycling bins being collected from the doorstep and people seem to be much more aware of what they can and can’t recycle. With so much of our food being sold in copious amounts of packaging and the convenience food so many with fast paced lifestyles rely on, it is really important to try and recycle as much as possible. Using public transport or even cycling or walking where possible is another method of reducing our carbon footprint. Droves of cyclists can now be seen at rush hour proving people are choosing this form of transport more and more. Other tips are to wash your clothes at 30°, turn all electrical items off at the walls, turn the lights off and turn down the central heating. These final suggestions will also save you money which is an added bonus, dropping the thermostat just 1° can save up to £30 per year.
For elderly people however, sometimes turning down the heating is not an option; they often feel the cold that much more. Even in the summer months there can be chilly evening s where one feels putting the heating on is necessary. An excellent solution to overcome this and continue to save money and the environment is thermal clothing. With different grades of warmth it is also possible to select the grade most suitable for the outside temperature, a light warmth for those slightly chilly summer evenings and an intense warmth for the absolutely freezing winter months. Damart, a trusted and well known international brand that sells a wide range of clothing, predominantly, to the over 50’s, has an excellent range of thermal clothing for both men and women. There are more traditional full length long johns in a variety of colours and for the ladies, some really feminine vests with lace and satin detail. Be eco-friendly in comfort.