Due to the global energy crisis triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has a list of 10 actions people and governments can take to cut oil use. If we all do it, it will cut consumption by 2.5 billion barrels a day. Some of these are policy actions such as speed limits, and some are individual actions.
Cutting oil use is not only good because of the energy crisis and gas prices, it also reduces air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Energy conservation is one of the fastest and easiest ways to fight climate change and cut health-damaging air pollution. So, this is a win-win situation: we fight the energy crisis, we improve our health by making less air pollution, and we fight climate change by making fewer greenhouse gases.
We all care about our health, our parents and grandparents health, and our children’s health. We also care about our health and our families’ health in the future. Reducing oil use is one thing we can do ourselves. Some of these measures will lead to permanent change and keep air pollution and greenhouse gases down permanently.
Here is the list from the IEA:
1. Lower speed limits by at least 10km/h (6 mph).
2. Work from home up to 3 days a week, if possible.
3. Car-free Sundays in large cities.
4. Make transit cheaper, and give incentives for walking or biking.
5. Alternate private car access in large cities.
6. Share rides/carpool.
7. Promote efficient use of trucks and delivery vans (fill them as much as possible).
8. Use high-speed or night trains instead of airplanes whenever possible.
9. Avoid business travel if there is an alternative – conference call, video conference, etc.
10. Speed adoption of electric vehicles.
Some of these are things we can do (walking or taking transit), some require business action (avoiding travel, working from home), some require city action (car free Sundays), and some are several levels of government (transit fees, speed limits, speeding infrastructure for EVs). Every action at every level will help make a difference.
Read the full IEA report here.
03/21/2022
