Petroleum Major Offsets Impact by Using Metal Straw

Upon learning about the effects of the oil industry on the environment, junior petroleum engineering major Austin Till decided to compensate for his future career’s environmental impact by making a few changes to his lifestyle, starting with ordering a metal straw.

Till decided his career path in high school by Googling “engineering salaries.” After talking to his buddy whose dad has property with oil on it, Till knew it was the career and lifestyle for him. However, the most recent oil downturn and his subsequently freed-up summer gave him some time for reflection.

Inspired by a YouTube video about climate change, Till decided he needed to change something. After a heart-to-heart with his roommates, they decided to start using the existing College Station trash services instead of burning garbage in their backyard fire pit. Till also did a #trashtag by picking up all the Natural Light cans from his own front yard.

In addition, Till has started using his metal straw about 50% of the time when eating out. “I think it’s really important that we each do our part,” Till said before heading to PETE 355, drilling engineering, to learn about offshore drilling. Till also said he feels optimistic that he has already offset his carbon footprint.

Till is looking forward to his internship this summer at an upstream oil and gas company where he hopes to gain experience with drilling rig operations.

 

— Century Tree Hugger & Anime Sciences