Click here to take your ecological footprint quiz. Ideally, the planet can only support 4.5 acres per person. I scored at 15 acres and it would take 3.4 planets if everyone lived like me. Sadly, the average in the US is 24 acres per person. Mine would be a lot less if I didn't use my car as much or, at least, had a car with better gas mileage. I currently drive a Honda Element.
And, I should ride my bike more often but this city I live in is not conducive to foot power or bike riding. And the public transport is a joke. If I lived in SF, this would all be a moot point as Mark and I would walk everywhere or take the bus and BART. We have agreed we'd rarely drive our car. Also, he's going to be getting a motorcycle again and I think I'll be getting a Vespa. That should reduce usage of my car.
Here is a list of ways to reduce your ecological footprint:
Transportation
Vehicles that use fossil fuels harm the environment and people's health by creating air pollution.
*Ride or walk to nearby places instead of driving.
*Organize a carpool to get to work or use public transit.
Air Travel
*Airplanes use lots of fossil fuel and contribute significantly to pollution.
*Refrain from vacations in faraway destinations. Take vacations in places nearer to home.
Waste
Throwing things away harms the environment because we use up space to store garbage and also have to produce new materials to replace the ones we threw out.
*Take your lunch to work in reusable containers.
*Separate your garbage for recycling and recycle as much as you can.
*Start composting or worm farming food scraps.
*Think about whether things can be used again for the same or another purpose before you throw them away.
*Give things you do not need to other people or to second-hand stores.
*Buy rechargeable batteries so you do not have to buy new ones.
*Use plastic grocery bags in your garbage cans.
Food
As well as tasting great and being healthy, fruits and vegetables take less space and energy to produce than junk foods, instant foods and meat.
*Try eating more fruit and vegetables instead of junk food.
*Start a vegetable garden so you can grow some of your own food.
*Go to the farmer's markets to buy fruit and vegetables.
*Try to eat meat less often.
Energy
*Turn lights off when you leave an empty room.
*Turn the computer, TV, stereo and other appliances off when you have finished using them.
*Get what you want from the fridge quickly and close the door properly.
*Dry your clothes on a clothesline instead of using the dryer.
*Consider buying electricity from a renewable energy supplier.
Water
Only about 1% of the water on earth is drinkable so it is important to conserve it and keep it clean.
*Turn off the tap when you clean your teeth.
*Take short showers instead of baths.
*Sweep the path or driveway instead of hosing it down.
*Turn taps off properly and if they keep dripping, fix them.
Paper
Paper is made from trees or by recycling old paper, so if we use less we save trees and energy.
*Borrow books from libraries or friends instead of buying them.
*Use both sides of paper for writing or drawing.
*Put a notice on your mailbox saying you do not want any junk mail.
*Reduce the amount of printing at work and save files electronically instead.
Click here to view a series of video tips to reduce your ecological impact.
Most of the sources from this blog entry came from here.
No comments:
Post a Comment