http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/personal_footprint/
"If everyone lived like me, we'd need 3.7 earth's to support the resources"
" To support my life-style it takes, 16.5 global acres of the earth's productive area"
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Ecological Footprints relate to the earth's carrying capacity by showing people how many resources they are using relative to the resources that the earth can supply. These calculators seem to place a lot of weight on food, transportation and water use. I really liked the Global Footprint Network much better than National Geographic's calculator. I think the Global Footprint Network was more intensive and took into account more details about living conditions and even asked about clothes and recycling. Whereas National Geographic didn't ask that.
As far as lowering my footprint, I think the most dramatic thing I can do is to change eating habits and eat less meat and eat more locally. This is easier said then done considering food at farmer's markets is expensive and I don't have a job. On the other hand, I ride my bicycle everywhere, I haven't purchased a bottle of water in about 2 years. I recycle plastic and aluminum. So, Ideally I would like to start eating more locally but I need other things to happen first.
I agree about the farmers market prices. Do you think this a reflection of the actual cost to grow the food, or are the prices inflated because the market clientele can afford it? Does the market cater to the lower income community or is it a "yuppie" thing?
ReplyDeleteNon - organic food is cheaper because the government subsidizes it -- Especially corn which is in basically every conventional food product. I definitely think that farmer's market prices are a truer reflection of the actual cost to grow the food. The market caters to the big companies and lobbyists in government, we are just along for the ride.
ReplyDeleteA cool idea would be to send out a survey to a group of people to show them what their footprint would be. I think if more people saw this, they could relate their findings to their neighbors and by saying anything they would be free advertisement for the sustainable movement!
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