Entry 1- my footprint

Here are the results of my Ecological Footprint:

Going over a quick review of everything, we can see that if everybody in the world lived like me, we would go through 4.4 Planet Earths. Looking over my pie chart, my footprint break down is services at 45%, food at 18%, shelter at 15%, mobility at 11%, and goods at 11%. And finally, to support my lifestyle, it would take 19.6 global acres of Earth's productive area. Looks like I am a horrible human being, but by the looks of it, not as bad as others in the class.

The following are my three strategies for reducing my footprint:

1. The most obvious choice for me is to recycle more. I know I should, but I hardly recycle. It is just something that my roommates and I never set up. I will finally make the push this quarter and start some sort of a recycling program.

2. To be more energy and gas efficient. Last year was the first time I lived in my own place and payed my own bills. Needless to say, my roommates and I suffered paying high bills during the winter. We are going to try and use less electricity during the day, as well as less propane to heat our house when it gets cold.

3. For my last strategy, I will try and eat less prepackaged foods, and more locally grown produce. I will also cut back on my protein intake. I have a local farmers market, as well at a Trader Joes a few blocks from my house, so I will make more of an effort to shop there.

I believe that these three steps will help reduce my current ecological footprint. I know these three strategies are very vague, but that leaves me with more ways to help save this planet. I will be doing weekly updates to inform you on my life changes and how successful they have been.

until next time