I took the Ecological Footprint Quiz from the Redefining Progress website. After completing the quiz and receiving my results, I was shocked to learn that if everyone on the planet lived my lifestyle, we would need 4.48 earths to sustain our activities!!! I had previously thought of myself as an environmentally conscious person, but there are obviously more ways that I can reduce my footprint! I liked this quiz because it created four categories of consumption within the measurement of my environmental impact. These categories include: Carbon Footprint, Food Footprint, Housing Footprint, and Goods & Service Footprint. My impact was compared to the country average in each category. I exceeded the country average in my Food Footprint and my Housing Footprint.
To reduce my footprint, the website recommended several strategies in each category of consumption. There were several tips that I had never thought of before, including:
- Avoid allowing your car to idle. If you’ll be waiting for more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine (except in traffic). And don’t take the drive-through—park the car and walk inside instead.
- Defrost your refrigerator and freezer regularly.
- Purchase carbon offsets to make up for the energy use you can’t eliminate.
- Eat lower on the food chain—going meatless for just one meal a week can make a difference. Globally, it has been estimated that 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions are associated with meat consumption.
I feel that there are many financial barriers for college students wishing to become more environmentally friendly. I strive to do little things every day with the intention that they will accumulate and make a dent in the world’s effort to conserve our environment. I feel that once I have more control over my living situation (i.e. permanent home and stable income), I will be able to make an even bigger impact on our environment!
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5 comments:
I took the same quiz and also really liked how it broke the results down into different categories. It was a nice easy way to show which specific areas we can each improve on!
Excellent post, Lauren! I love how detailed you are! No one else has even mentioned the categories! I also appreciate that you've created a bulleted list...it makes it easier to read. Great formatting, girl!
Great tips Lauren! I too feel that there are a lot of barriers as a college student and once I am living on my own, and have a better financial status, I could make a larger impact!
Great post Lauren. I loved how you included some of the tips that were given on the website! I also really liked how the quiz showed all the categories, and how we can specifically improve in each.
Good post! I think that the financial stress that college students are under really does set back any attemps that college students make to lower their foot print.
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