Fight terrorism!
Written 26 Jan 2005
<p><a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=suv+support+terrorism&btnG=Search" >SUV's support terrorism!</a> <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=oil+SUV+terrorism&btnG=Search">SUV = oil = terrorism</a> All of us have heard claims similar to the preceeding. Driving gas-guzzling (petrol guzzling for non en_USA speakers) vehicles somehow supports, or promotes, terrorism. The proponents of such arguments often suggest turning elsewhere for energy needs, driving hybrid cars and the like. There are many flaws to the argument, but I'd like to point out just one. Focusing on Oil as used for Fuel leaves out another <strong>huge</strong> consumer of petroleum: Plastic.</p>
For reference, please note the following:
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.priweb.org/ed/pgws/uses/plastic.html">What is plastic made from?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.priweb.org/ed/pgws/uses/uses_home.html">Everyday uses of Oil</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.science.edu.sg/ssc/detailed.jsp?artid=3020&type=6&root=3&parent=3&cat=32">How is plastic made?</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Now consider please, how extensive is the use of plastic in western society?</p>
Look around a typical house, office, car, yard, building, etc. Odds are you will find a wide array of products that have plastic as a component. The keyboard used to type this article. The chair I am seated in. The door panel on your car. The full list is quite exhaustive.
The article from the Singapore Science Centre discloses that plastic can be made from other materials (coal and limestone for example), thus petroleum is not the only raw material for plastic, but I'll wager it is a major contributor.
Now, as you think of Oil (read: petroleum) used to construct plastic, ponder the following:
- Plastic from Oranges
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An environmentally friendly process has been developed for making plastic from citrus fruits and carbon dioxide.
- Plastic from Corn
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A new type of plastic is showing up at Ohio stores and it wasn't manufactured... it was grown.
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