It’s true – there is a connection! Did you know that regular old crayons (think Crayola) have petroleum in them? Petroleum is a fossil fuel – we often call it ‘oil’ and it runs cars, heats homes, etc. Is this something you want in your crayons?

We don’t think so because:

• Petroleum can cause health problems – it’s pretty intense stuff! Have you ever smelled the fumes when your parents are filling up your car at the gas station?

• Petroleum is TERRIBLE for the environment: When people drill for oil, they destroy the land above the oil which hurts creatures’ natural habitats, plants & trees.

• During the transport of oil, there have been several oil spills which cause severe damage to ocean ecosystems. There was recently a spill at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

• As petroleum is burned for energy, carbon-dioxide is released into the air which contributes to global warming.
• Wars are fought over oil. Ever heard of the Middle East?

• In the summer of 2007, oil was discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at Lake Albert – home of our beloved bonobos. Humans are so desperate to get the oil that they hurt each other, the land of the DRC and the bonobos & other creatures living there in the process.

Here’s what you can do:

Ask your parents, your teachers and your school to get non-petroleum crayons!

There is a safe, non-toxic brand of crayons that is petroleum-free called STOCKMAR!!!
Visit their site here! They are made with beeswax and they are super sturdy which means they won’t break in half when you are drawing really hard!
Have fun – and tell everyone you know. If everyone uses petroleum-free crayons, there will be one less reason for oil drillers to disrupt the natural habitats of the bonobos and other wonderful creatures!

Help Spread the Word!!!

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