Suggestions for reducing the personal use of oil

Motor vehicle use accounts for 53% of U.S. oil consumption. Less than 10% of U.S. oil consumption goes towards home heating and electricity production. (WRI, 2000)

• Reducing the amount you drive and driving a more fuel-efficient car are the two most significant things you can do to reduce your oil consumption.
   
• If you use oil to heat your house, weatherizing your home (insulation, more efficient windows, weather stripping, etc.) is extremely valuable in reducing oil consumption (and can save you a lot of money!).
   
• If oil is used in your region to provide electricity, reducing your electricity use through compact fluorescent light bulbs and energy-efficient appliances can also make a significant impact. (Contact your electrical utility to find out what their energy sources are; they should be able to give you a breakdown.)
   
• Encourage policymakers to require higher fuel efficiency standards for new cars.

World Resources Institute, 2000, "Oil as a finite resource: Conclusions and policy implications" The conclusions of an eight-part look at the global production and use of oil. Technical but thorough. http://www.wri.org/wri/climate/jm_oil_008.html

Union of Concerned Scientists, "Getting to work (Greentips)" Ways to reduce gas consumption in getting to work. http://www.ucsusa.org/publication.cfm?publicationID=424

Union of Concerned Scientists, "Clean Vehicles (incl. Risks of dependence on foreign oil)" A lot of information about vehicles that use less gas and produce less pollution. The report on the "risks of dependence on foreign oil" offers five policy-oriented suggestions to reduce foreign oil dependence. A Five-Step Program to Cut Oil Dependence

Step 1: Raise Fuel Economy Standards
Step 2: Provide Tax Credits for Advanced-Technology Vehicles
Step 3: Move Beyond Oil-Based Fuel: Biomass Ethanol
Step 4: Forge an Oil-Free Future: Hydrogen-Fuel Cells
Step 5: Promote Smart Growth and Transportation Choices
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles/index.cfm

Northwest Environment Watch, "Fueling up: Gasoline consumption in the pacific northwest" This report, focused on the Pacific Northwest (including British Columbia), compares gas consumption in different regions and offers suggestions to reduce overall gas consumption. Lots of interesting facts and figures for people in this region. http://www.northwestwatch.org/press/gas_states.html

Interfaith Climate Change Network, "At Home" List of actions that you can do at home to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, including driving less. http://www.protectingcreation.org/athome