Your Personal Footprint

There are several different measurements today to look at the resources people are using on a daily basis that impact our Earth.   The Ecological Footprint is a comparison of land and water resources used vs. what is needed to replace those resources.  The Carbon Footprint measure the greenhouse gases released due to the use of fossil fuels.  Together, they paint a very bleak picture of how humanity has impacted, and continues to impact our planet in a negative way.

Earth Overshoot Day is the day on our calendar when we have used up our renewable resources for the year.  Everything used past that day will take more than a year to regenerate itself. The Global Footprint Network reports that in 2000, Earth Overshoot Day was in October, and by 2015, it had moved up to August 15. The expectation is that if we don’t change the way we are impacting our Earth, that day will have moved up to June 28 by 2030.

Alarmingly, the US ranks the highest in the world with its carbon footprint, with 5–6 times the amount of the global average.  The average North American generates about 20 tons of CO₂-eq each year, and the global average is about 4 tons of CO₂-eq per year   globally, higher carbon footprints are typically found in more developed countries, as transportation and home energy are the largest contributors in a person’s individual footprint.

Not only do we have responsibility over our primary carbon footprint, (fuel for transportation and energy for our homes) it is equally important for individuals to look at the secondary carbon emissions that are associated with the goods we buy, and the services used to produce and transport those items.  The consumption of meat would fall into the secondary carbon footprint, as it requires more energy and nutrients to produce those foods, then it does to produce grains and vegetable’s.

Simple Changes to Affect our Earth

Transportation: Use public transportation, carpool, or bike or walk when you can, when purchasing a vehicle, buy a hybrid or electric car

Home Energy: Buy lightbulbs that are energy efficient, use solar energy, insulate your home better, adjust your thermostat in the house, and use permaculture in your yard

Food: Eat local, eliminate meat and dairy, don’t buy bottled water

General: Recycle, re-use, re-purpose

By Tee Wilson HHI Store Manager