Ecological Footprint and Comparison [WLO: 2] [CLOs: 3, 6]Prior to beginning work on this discussion, read Chapter 9 and 10 of the course textbook. Also, view these two short videos on reducing waste:

After taking the Ecological footprint calculator, I have realized that if everyone was to live like me, we would need 3.3 earths. My Ecological Footprint is 5.7 gha while my Carbon Footprint is 9.5gha. By percentage my total Ecological Footprint is 57%. My top five consumer categories are goods, mobility, food, services and shelter.

                                    Household Carbon Emissions Footprint

After taking the Carbon Footprint calculator, I have realized that my current household Carbon Footprint is 165,703lbs. This figure is higher than the U.S. but after takin the planned actions to subsidize the amount, the Carbon Footprint comes to 139,013lbs. The planned actions I have undertaken when tallied equals to saving 1361 gallons of gas or planting 310 trees or recycling 8,609 tons of waste.

                                                Water footprint

After taking the water footprint calculator, I have realized that my personal water footprint is 1,057 gallons/day while my household utilized 5,287gallons/day. I use a lot of indoor water amounting to 30gallons/day for showering, 21 gallons/day for bathtub, 20 gallons/day in the bathroom sink. I utilize a lot of virtual water in my shopping habits amounting to 291 gallons/day.

                                                Footprint Table

            I have learnt a lot of things which surprise me regarding my consumption habits. Foremost, I did not know that I have such a huge ecological, water and carbon footprint. Secondly, I did not know that my everyday behaviors even the most insignificant to me adds an enormous strain to the earth. I found myself shocked when I discovered that if everyone adopted my everyday behaviors, we would need 3.3 earths to meet my need.

There are several changes I would defiantly make to reduce one or more of the three footprints.

1. I would adopt energy saving bulbs in my household by replacing the incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR lights.

2. Rather than drying all my laundry in the dryer I would sundry them on a clothing line.

3. I would ensure that I perform regular maintenance on my car. I would also recommend my household to do the same.

4. Whenever possible I will carpool with my friends to reduce the number of miles in drive.

5. I will spend less time in the shower and reduce the number of time in a week I spend in the bathtub.

Each of the lifestyle changes I have suggested have potential obstacles hinder me from accomplishing them. Nonetheless, I have some suggestions that will enable me to overcoming them.

1. My household might not be too enthusiastic to learn that I would like to replace the incandescent bulbs, to overcome this challenge I would educate them on the impact of energy saving bulbs.

2. I might not have enough time to remove my clothes from the washing mashing and taking them to the hanging line. To overcome this, I would plan my laundry days when I am free to sundry clothes.

3. Since I might forget to take my car for regular maintenance, I will set a reminder on my phone to remind me to check my mileage on a monthly basis.

4. When it is not possible to carpool with my friends, I will be using public transport such as a bus or train.

5. It might not be quite possible to always to reduce the amount of time I spend showering; I will install a low-flow showerhead to conserve the amount of water I use while showering.

                                                      References

Bensel, T., & Carbone, I. (2020). Sustaining our planet. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu (Links to an external site.)

Moovly. (2015, January 8). The ecological footprint explained (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) [Video file]. Retrieved from The Ecological Footprint Explained (Links to an external site.)

Global Footprint Network. (n.d.). What is your ecological footprint?  (Links to an external site.) Retrieved from http://www.footprintcalculator.org/ (Links to an external site.)

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Carbon footprint calculator (Links to an external site.). Retrieved from https://www3.epa.gov/carbon-footprint-calculator/ (Links to an external site.)

Water footprint calculator  (Links to an external site.). (https://www.watercalculator.org (Links to an external site.))