DISCUSSION WEEK 1
Part A: Ecological Footprint
Use the footprint tool from the web page What Is Your Ecological Footprint? (Links to an external site.) to calculate your ecological footprint. At every opportunity, please select the “add details to improve accuracy” option. At the end of the footprint activity, make a note of how many earths would be required if everyone lived like you. Then click on “see details” to obtain the following information:
- Your ecological footprint, in global hectares (a hectare is about two and a half acres).
- Your top three consumption categories.
- Finally, research some ways you might reduce your footprint, identifying a few specific ones that you might put into practice throughout the course.
Part B: Household Carbon Emissions Footprint
Next, use the Carbon Footprint Calculator (Links to an external site.) to calculate your household carbon emissions footprint. After answering all the questions:
- Make a note of your carbon emissions footprint in pounds. Is that above or below the average household carbon footprint in the US?
- Also, explore specific actions you might take to reduce your footprint. Which of them might be practical to undertake in the next five weeks?
Part C: Water Footprint
Finally, use Water Footprint Calculator (Links to an external site.) to calculate your daily water footprint. After answering all the questions:
- Make a note of your gallons per day water footprint.
- Record the top three contributors to it.
- Scroll down the page to access a series of “Tips” buttons you can click on for advice on reducing your footprint. Again, make a note of some specific ideas you see that might be practical to implement over the next five weeks.
