Ecological Footprint

http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/calculators/

            After I calculated my eco footprint at the link above, I discovered that if everyone lived the way I did it would take 4.5 earths to provide enough resources. There are certainly things that I could do to reduce this footprint. If I reduced the amount of animal products I currently eat by half I would only need 4.4 earths. Along with reducing my animal product intake I could also, purchase products that use less packaging or products that are made out of 100% recycled material, which would reduce the amount of earths I needed to only 4 to provide enough resources. Along with those two things I could also choose to take a local vacation this year instead of flying or driving 500 miles. All of these things together would reduce my number of earths from 4.5 to 4. An entire half of the globe is definitely a significant impact, and the changes I listed are not that difficult. This footprint calculator definitely puts into perspective the amount of resources I am using.

            The maximum population the earth could withstand if everyone lived like I did would be around 800 million. Considering that there are billions of people on the earth, everyone could not live the way I do. I think that everyone should try to calculate their ecological footprint and see the effect they are having on the earth. I have been talking about conserving energy a lot in my most recent blogs and the usual solutions seem like clichés these days, but if I really put those clichés into action I could really make a difference. It seems clearer when your energy use is put into perspective, now whenever I leave a room without turning off the light 4.5 globes are going to flash through my mind.

The Cost of Energy

The new flourescent bulbs to the right use less energy
than the traditional bulb on the left.

         When it comes to the discussion on the cost of energy some may think energy is too cheap while others may think it is too expensive. I personally have not yet experienced the cost of energy yet because I have never paid an energy bill.  I am sure once I do start paying an energy I will start to think it is too expensive, but I think that will eventually teach me how to control the amount of energy I am using.  I will have to learn how to conserve energy. The word “conservation” is not a dirty or scary word. It is a word that I think everyone should be familiar with.  When “Jimmy Cardigan” suggested that the United States should start conserving energy, many reacted in a negative way. I think a big part of their reaction was that they were not as educated on the conservation of energy as we are now. If someone had suggested some strange unknown idea I would have reacted in a negative way as well. When people suggest conservation now, most people accept it and try to do their part. I personally try to make an effort to make sure I am not wasting valuable energy.

            When it comes to fossil fuels I think that it is in our planets best interest to start figuring out ways to get along without them. I know that there are plenty of fossil fuels to last for the rest of our lifetime but it is selfish to only think about ourselves when it is our grandchildren and great grandchildren that have to live with our careless actions. I also realize that the process of creating a new way to steer away from fossil fuels will be long and expensive, but we have plenty of time.  It should definitely be a major goal of our government.

            Renewable sources of energy are catching on all over the world, they have great potential, but not without the downsides. I think, of all the renewable energy sources the ones that use wind and water have the most potential. I know that these may not seem practical as a replacement for all energy sources, but they are a start. All energy they produce is natural and does not impact the environment in a major way. The wind turbines can take up a major area, but the ground below could be used for farming. Dams are also a way to create energy, that may disrupt the surrounding ecosystem, but if it was destroyed there would not be prolonged permanent effects that nature could not fix itself. 

Gas Prices are Sky High!!

   I could start taking steps to reduce my energy footprint as soon as tomorrow. I could ride with my sister to school instead of us driving two different cars and I could bring a reusable water bottle instead of buying a new one. And within the next five years I could invest in a smaller car with fewer emissions than a big SUV. If I have children in the next five years I can educate them on how to conserve energy. There are numerous amounts of things that I, and hopefully others can do in our efforts to reduce our energy footprint.

Climate Change

            Climate change is a very controversial topic.  Based on the information I know about, I don’t know if I am educated enough to say whether or not it is manmade or natural; however, with what little I do know, I think it is a combination of the two.  Of course things that humans are doing on earth have affected the ozone, but are we the only reason the climate is starting to change?  Climate change has been happening throughout the history of the earth, including the periods when humans did not exist.  Climate change is a natural part of the earth’s history.  However, there is evidence that people are definitely helping the process along.

            With a variety of sources available from individuals and organizations, both of which are attempting to inform the public about climate change, I found the most reputable sources are those that come from organizations whose purpose is understanding what is going on in the environment and what they can do to change it.  One site that matches the type of sources that I consider reputable is http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/.  This site contains many different links that provide information about climate change such as; climate change indicators, greenhouse gas emissions, health and environmental effects, climate economics, and event things you can do to help.  The elements to this site provide a wide range of credible information about climate change, which, in my opinion, makes it reputable.

Is Climate Change Man Made?

            Even though there are sites such as the one I mentioned that give information on climate change, not everyone takes the time to do research themselves but only absorb what they may get from the news and other types of media or what they hear from others and, ultimately, base their opinion on this material, right or wrong.  The media portrays climate change as something negative.  That is, heavy human influences, with the responsibility being ours to reverse the damages that we have caused.  This portrayal does, however, make me want to slightly change my lifestyle.  This class is the first time I have really been exposed to climate change in depth and, the way it is portrayed in the media, makes me feel like if I change my lifestyle I will be doing my part in the fight against climate change.

            I believe that the effects that climate change will have on generations to come will not be positive ones.  As climate change progresses, there will be more pressure by the media for people to change their lifestyles and do their part.  Climate change is already portrayed as an ominous thing; I can only imagine the severity of it 100 years from now.

Ice has been rapidly melting, which some say is due to climate change.

Global Environmental Issues

            In my opinion, the most pressing global environmental issue facing us today is disposal of the waste created by populations.  Our fast paced lives have led to the creation of more and more disposable, single-use products.  Unfortunately, these are the products that are filling our landfills.  As the populations of our planet continue to accumulate waste, we have begun to feel the affect in the shortage of where to dispose of these wastes, resulting in solutions such as shipping the waste to less developed countries.  Another concern is the affect all the garbage in landfills is having on the environment.  Waterways are being choked with trash, chemicals are being released from products that have been buried, and our habitats and animals are being harmed as a result of this pollution to our environment.  I think this is the most pressing issue because it is an issue overshadowed by others, which, in the future, will be disastrous to all living creatures if not addressed now.   People need to think about the amount of waste they create and the effect it will have on the environment and future generations of the global population.

            If a wealthy benefactor gave me $100 billion to address a global problem of my choice, as important as proper waste disposal is, I would spend a portion of the money on developing better ways to dispose of these wastes, but would educate and constantly remind people of the necessity to create less waste.  I feel that creating less waste will, ultimately, be what reduces this problem.  Another issue that I would like to see addressed is the high cost it takes to become “green”.  Going “green” is strongly encouraged in many aspects of our lives, from the types of products we use in our homes to the way we run our offices, but the costs often prohibit us from choosing to take these steps.  I would like to change this by making products more attainable for everyone.  Some possibilities would be to provide funds to the companies producing these products to cover their costs so they would not have to pass this on to the consumer.  Another would be to set up a grant program for businesses to use on the initial changes needed to become “green”.   These things would help us take the needed steps in solving the pressing environmental issues.

The Third Frontier

            After reading the Louv readings it made me think about nature a bit differently. Many of the ideas present by Louv seemed very plausible. Studies have been done that showed how nature had a calming and relaxing effect on children. I doubt children can have a sense of calmness and relaxation in front of a rough war video game. These days’ children do not play outside like they used to. They are glued to the television or the computer or some other electronic device. Some people may think these advances in technology trump our need for nature, but I disagree. It is necessary for not only children but also adults to experience nature every now and then. Nature provides you with an experience that electronics could never give you.

            Louv created a term for people of our generation called “nature-deficit disorder.” People he would label with this disorder are those who have nothing to do with nature. This “disorder” again goes hand in hand with technological advances, and having video games, TV, and computers to entertain you instead of nature. A definite generation gap is seen when it comes to the nature-deficit disorder. Older generations did not have electronics to keep them busy. They had to go outside and create their own entertainment. I think older generations had the advantage. They used their imaginations and were creative, and were also much more physically active than today’s children which created a much less rate of obesity. I think that more parents should encourage their children to play outside, or even take them to a park so the entire family can get out into nature. There are many solutions to this problem that will have to involve people detaching themselves from electronics.

            The third frontier is upon us, a new frontier that is led by technology. I think going into a long explanation of the third frontier would be a bit repetitive for this entry. The third frontier is everything I have discussed. It is the recent and abundant effect that technology has had on people’s interaction with nature. People no longer want land but technology, period.

Intro to Colloquium and Sustainability

My expectations for this class include a greater understanding of sustainability and the environment, awareness of what my part is in sustainability and learning ways to better my community through service.  As I think about my personal behaviors and attitude there are things that could be considered unsustainable.  A lot of mornings I stop by a gas station and get a bottle of soda before work.  The sustainable thing to do would be to use a reusable bottle instead of throwing one out every day and then buying a new one.  Another unsustainable behavior of mine is the habit to not unplug electronics or turn lights off.  When I am home I like a lot of light, so I keep most of them on, and when I blow dry and straighten my hair, the blow dryer and straightener usually stay plugged in for the next morning, I never think to unplug them.  Hopefully this class will help me change those bad habits.

            My chosen field of study is nursing.  I think that nursing and sustainability go hand in hand.  When you have a healthy environment the people in that environment are healthy.  The goal of nursing is to keep people healthy, while also educating them on how to live a healthy lifestyle.  By nurses creating this awareness of health, people might strive to maybe not throw that bag out of the car window or throw that garbage in the river.  As people learn that these types of bad habits can damage the environment and their health, they will begin to change these behaviors.