BP Protest info: Whiting, IN - May 31

Peaceful demonstration/protest at the BP Refinery in Whiting, Indiana (about 20 minutes south of downtown Chicago) on Monday, May 31st beginning at 8am.

There is a documentary film maker coming in to join the protest and to do some filming. He is making a documentary on the effects the BP refinery has had on the Great Lakes ecosystem. CNN and local Channel 9 news have been informed and we're hoping we'll see their news cameras there as well.

How can I stop being so dependent on oil?

Don't worry, I'm not going to suggest that you dress only in hemp and ride a bike or hitchhike everywhere.

It's virtually impossible for most of us to go oil free. However, if all of us take a few steps towards ending our dependence on petroleum based products, a little can go a long way.

Here are the ingredients to keep an eye out for, and where you can find them:

Ingredients to avoid:
Petroleum
Petrolatum
Mineral Oil
Fragrance
PVP/VA Copolymer
Paraffin oil
Liquid paraffin
White petrolatum
Paraffin wax
Di-ethyl phthalate (DEP)
Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP)
Benzyl butyl phthalate
Polyurethane

Things they are in (just about everything):
Skin creams—hand lotions, facial products, etc.
Hair spray
Candles
Paint
Deodorant
Antihistamines
Cortisone
Soft contact lenses
Detergents
Shampoo
Shaving cream
Bandages
Diapers
Perfume
Insect repellants
Food wrap
Toothbrushes, toothpaste
Crayons
Purses
Shoes
Rubber boots
Rubber bands
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes, flooring, shower curtains, and countless other household products


Kinda scary to think we're putting that stuff on our skin and brushing our teeth with it, isn't it?

As some of your products are running low and it's time to re-stock, take a look at the ingredients. If you see one of the ingredients listed above, spend some time researching to see what healthier, more environmentally friendly products are out there.

I did some searching and will share them with you here.


Method Products - These can be found at Target.

I absolutely love these cleaning products, and they are reasonably priced at around $4 a bottle for the multi-surface cleaner. They work great and to be able to smell French Lavender while cleaning your kitchen is way better than having your eyes and throat burn from inhaling some of those cleaners that are out there.

Method also makes a bunch of different scented handsoaps, even holiday/season themed scents throughout the year.


Physicians Formula Organic Makeup - organic make up doesn't have to cost a fortune!

This is a full line of makeup (from lip gloss to mascara to makeup remover and moisturizer) found at drugstores and department stores and won't cost you your next pay check. Not only is it organic, they don't do any testing on animals.

Trader Joe's - They have a great selection of organic foods, as well as many affordable organic toiletries.

Don't feel like brushing your teeth with petroleum anymore? You'll find organic toothpaste here, as well as shampoo and soap.


Some other steps you can take -- try to stop using disposable water bottles. Buy a reusable container and fill it at home with a Brita filtered water pitcher. If you do have a disposable bottle, don't just pitch it in the nearest garbage can when finished. Try to hold onto it until you are able to recycle it.

If possible, consolidate your errands, it will save you money on gas, and help cut down on your usage. When possible, try to carpool.

These are just a few suggestions, go ahead and add some of the ways you are making changes in the comment section.


Also, here are some websites that have a lot of helpful information:

Join the Oil Detox Challenge


Treehugger - Buy Green Guides


The Go Green Blog

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

BP Protest Info: New Orleans - May 30

New Orleans BP Protest Sunday, May 30

"This event is being put together by a handful pissed-off New Orleanians… it is not a political action committee, community group or activist organization although we absolutely WELCOME and INVITE anyone and everyone to join us!

PLEASE spread the word… come and bring as many as you can!"


WHEN: 1pm at Jackson Square

More info: http://bit.ly/ciQaW6


Please let me know of any other protests you are aware of and I will post here and on Twitter.

BP Protest info: Houston 5/24 San Francisco 5/25

Here is some protest information that was brought to my attention by @leahburdick


Houston BP Protest TOMORROW!!
Exposes the Naked Truth Behind “Drill Baby Drill”WHERE: BP Headquarters 501 Westlake Park Blvd., Houston
WHEN: May 24, 2010 at 11:30am

More info: http://tinyurl.com/2b5hlmq

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SAN FRANCISCO PROTEST ALERT!!
Obama will be in SF on Tues, 5/25 @ 4PM at Initiated by the ANSWER Coalition. Call 415-821-6545 for more info. SPREAD THE WORD.Tuesday, May 25, 4pm Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason St. (between Sacramento and California Sts.) San Francisco

More info: http://tinyurl.com/39v234k

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Please let me know if you hear of any protests in your area. You can leave a comment here on the blog, contact me at BoycottBP or email me at: BoycottBP2010@gmail.com

Thanks again for the info Leah!

No end in sight ...

Here we are, over a month after the Deepwater Horizon explosion, and oil is still spewing into the Gulf at alarming rates. Just how alarming? - No one knows (or do they?). As I have been researching all of this, looking for links to post on Twitter, I am becoming increasingly frustrated, angered and saddened.

I've been trying to keep the Twitter account free of personal opinions and just make the news easy for you to find and share with others.

I started this blog, not quite sure where I was going with it. If there is anything you would like to see posted here, please feel free to let me know.

I'd be interested to hear how you are feeling about this oil "spill" as time goes by. Do you think the media is doing a good job of covering this story? Have you gotten any flack for wanting to Boycott BP? What do you think about government response? etc...

Please feel free to sound off in the comments...

Thanks again for Retweeting the posts on Twitter.

Boycott These BP Brands!

Here is a posting to pass around to others to raise awareness on which brands are operated by the BP brand.

BP brands in the United States

BP brands around the world

BP Station Locator

Castrol Motor Oil & Lubricants

Grocery Stores that offer BP Fuelperks Gas Rebates

If you regularly frequent these gas stations or grocery stores, be sure to stop in, call or write an email and let them know why you will no longer be a patron at these businesses.

Please share any feedback in the comments section and if you are on Twitter, please follow Boycott BP

Thank you

FINALLY. Live feed of oil "spill"..

Exactly 1 month since the initial explosion on the Deepwater Horizon, BP has FINALLY made a live feed of the oil "spill" available for everyone to view. Hours before this feed became available to the public, BP claimed they underestimated the size of the leak.

Here is the live feed that is available -- http://globalwarming.house.gov/spillcam

If traffic at that site is too heavy, try this feed:

CNN Oil Feed



Please help spread the word to Boycott BP!