Climate action starts with an active approach toward avoiding petroleum-based products — here’s why

Petroleum-based products are ubiquitous in modern society, from the plastic water bottles we drink to the gasoline that powers our cars. While these products have certainly made our lives easier in many ways, they also come with significant environmental costs. Petroleum extraction and use are responsible for a range of environmental problems, from air and water pollution to climate change and habitat destruction.

One of the most obvious environmental impacts of petroleum-based products is air pollution. Burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and coal releases a range of pollutants into the air, including carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants can cause a range of health problems, from respiratory issues to heart disease and even cancer. In addition, they contribute to the formation of smog and other forms of air pollution that can harm both human health and the environment.

Water pollution is another significant problem associated with petroleum-based products. When oil spills occur, as they did most notably in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, they can have devastating effects on marine ecosystems and the organisms that rely on them. In addition to spills, oil and other petroleum products can also contaminate water sources through leaks from pipelines and storage tanks. This can harm aquatic life and make water sources unsafe for human use.

Climate change is perhaps the most pressing environmental issue associated with petroleum-based products. The burning of fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which trap heat and cause global temperatures to rise.

This, in turn, is leading to a range of impacts, from more frequent and severe heatwaves to sea level rise and more frequent and intense weather events like hurricanes and wildfires. In addition to the direct impacts of climate change, the warming of the planet is also causing a range of secondary effects, such as changes in precipitation patterns, which can harm ecosystems and food systems.

Habitat destruction is another major environmental impact associated with petroleum-based products. Oil and gas extraction often requires clearing large areas of land for drilling and pipeline construction, which can disrupt habitats for a range of species. In addition, spills and leaks from pipelines can harm wildlife and destroy important ecosystems, such as wetlands and coral reefs. The cumulative effect of these impacts can be significant, leading to a decline in biodiversity and ecosystem health.

In addition to the environmental impacts of petroleum-based products, there are also a range of social and economic issues associated with their use. For example, the extraction and processing of petroleum often takes place in low-income communities and communities of color, leading to a range of health and environmental justice issues. In addition, the reliance on fossil fuels can lead to political instability and economic volatility, as countries compete for access to these finite resources.

Given the significant environmental, social, and economic costs associated with petroleum-based products, there is a growing movement to transition to more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives. One approach is to shift to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro power, which do not emit greenhouse gases and have far fewer environmental impacts than fossil fuels. Another approach is to focus on reducing the demand for petroleum-based products through conservation and efficiency measures, such as improving public transportation, designing buildings to be more energy efficient, and encouraging the use of electric vehicles.

In addition to these broader strategies, there are also a range of individual actions that people can take to reduce their reliance on petroleum-based products. For example, choosing to walk or bike instead of driving, using public transportation, and carpooling are all ways to reduce one’s carbon footprint. Choosing products made from sustainable materials, such as bamboo, cotton, or recycled plastic, can also help to reduce the demand for petroleum-based products.

Key action requires using materials that are compostable and not manufactured using petroleum products. This is why it’s key to verify the source of your personal use products. Cruz Foam is one of the manufacturers of environmentally packaging products. Cruz Foam is a USDA Bio preferred vendor, and the company’s products have passed ASTM D6400 and D6868 composability tests. Additionally, the company supports customers throughout the certification process and submits customer products for certification (by use case). Cruz Foam is the first material to receive a perfect score of 100 after passing testing for the Pela Earth Lomi home composting system and becoming Lomi Certified.

Cruz Foam wants to scale the production of circular materials at a comparable price and replace single-use, petroleum-based plastics in the multi-billion dollar packaging industry. The business will begin by creating foam packaging substitutes and eventually hopes to enter other markets like cold chain and primary packaging.