After taking the IUHPE Ecological Footprint calculator (found here at: IUHPE Ecological Footprint Calculator), I have discovered my ecological footprint is 4.2 Earths. Meaning that if everyone in the world lived like me we would need 4.2 planet Earths to provide enough resources. It would also take 18.9 global acres to support my life style with most of it being energy land and the next being forest land. My ecological footprint is mostly affected by the services I use and purchase and by how my food is made and transported and where it comes from.
Overall, I was actually surprised that my ecological footprint was not higher. I thought it would be very high for some reason. However, after answering the questions and knowing that I do not spend all that much money on buying new gadgets and such and I do not own my own home to buy things for, it is not as high as I thought. The impact of my behaviours on the environment are slowly destroying the world we live in. I am using up resources quicker than they can be reproduced which will cause many problems in the future. I am also causing much pollution through the transporting and making of goods that I purchase.
However, there is definitely a need for much improvement on my part. I have realized that I do spend a lot of time driving in my car and most of the time I am by myself. If I were to car pool with even one other person I could help save the environment. Also, I have learned that I really should start buying locally grown and made foods because it saves destroying the environment through the transporting of goods. I do recycle but I have been guilty before of throwing a water bottle or two in the garbage. I need to learn to recycle these no matter what, they do have an effect on our environment.
Overall, there is much that I can do to change how I live in order to lower my ecological footprint and will try to do this in the future to help save my environment.
I agree Dani. There are lots of things we could all be doing to lower our impact. However, it's hard to change things we've always been used to doing. For me eating meat is very normal for my family. In the summers we grill quite a bit, which usually consists of steak, chicken, fish, hamburgers, etc. It's a problem that I think many people face all over our country. A typical meal here is steak and potatoes. Overall, were all going to have to make big sacrifices in order to make any significant changes.
ReplyDeleteI had the same footprint as you did. I agree that compared to some people this wasn't too high, but I still feel like it is way higher than it should be. It really brought to my attention some of the things that I can do to lower and reduce my footprint. You had a good post though!
ReplyDeleteI think it would help a lot to save our environment if all the people would try to car pool. I am trying to do that with my roommates and it is also more fun than driving alone. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how the little things add up! It is hard to change some habits, but we can start by doing the little things like carpooling and eating less meat!
ReplyDeleteThat's neat that by taking the assessment you were able to receive better insight on your lifestyle and that you are so intrigued to begin adjusting your living styles that you have listed some ideas on how you can change your lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteWe had the same score. I was surprised at how non eco-friendly I am. I try and do "green" things. It's crazy how much we take for granted.
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