My Ecological Footprint
I could not believe the results from my ecological footprint quiz!!! I mean how wasteful am I???? I immedietly took inventory of my habits after this quiz so that I could change my "wasteful" ways :) The myfootprint website gives ways to reduce your footprint and starting immedietely I am going to change those things. I am going to use some of my remaining journal entries for this semester to keep you all posted on my progress :)
With this wonderful weather we have been experiencing lately, I have started using less electricity! I keep our windows and doors open when I can to take advantage of the beautiful weather outside. Since then I have shut off our air completely and we have enjoyed every minute of it :)
For starters as I mentioned in one of my previous entries, my husband and I try to take our motorcyle to and from work when we can so that we are using less gas, which in turn puts less harmful fumes into the air, which shares a point in our rapidly growing pollution problem. Now to be honest, what girl wants to ride a motorcycle everday?? It can be windy, hot, cold, etc. But starting this week I have religiously ridden the motorcycle everyday to work! This is one of the tips on the list for reducing your footprint: Use cleaner transport. While the bike might not be cleaner than a car, it certainly puts out less dangerous things both in type and quantity than my car.
I also had my husband do a full detail on the fluids in my car too! This has needed to be done for a while now and with such a hectic busy life, I have continued to put it off. But according to myfootprint by servicing your vehicle regularly, you can help keep the emission control systems operating at peak efficiency.
I am so guilty of another suggestion for reducing your footprint. Avoid allowing your car to idle (except in traffic). How lazy have we as humans become?? On my lunch break, instead of getting out of my car (because walking would not kill me-its not like I sit behind a desk all day...I do) and walking inside to get my lunch? To answer how lazy humans have become-some popular chain fast-food establishments have enlarged their drive through services to having multiple lanes to order from....its like going to a bank!!
Another thing that I have already begun doing to reduce my footprint was my use of electricity. Before I started this class, my electric bill was around $196 AHHHHHHH. I know this may be low to some people, but for me it was extremely high!! So I have made huge efforts to reduce that bill not only for the good of earth, but selfishly, the good of my wallet =) Since that high bill, I have made sure all lights/fans are turned off during the day or when we are not home. I have invested in room darkening curtains for all the windows, and I have started hand washing my dishes and being more mindful when washing laundry. After all those efforts have been made I am proud to say that my electric bill this month was only $88!!!!! After recording my meter reading I can't wait for the next bill because it will be even lower!!!
Stay tuned for updates!!!
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