Calculating my Ecological Footprint

http://blog.beliefnet.com/faithfunnies/2008/05/index.htm

 When I took a look at my quiz results, I was shocked. Right now it would take 3.4 earths if everybody lived by my lifestyle to sustain in this earth. One of the things that I thought would be one of the more sustainable was the highest, food consumption. I know I do not eat a lot, I eat little portions and most of the time I do not even finish that, but I know that I do not eat organic and I eat a lot of meat, poultry, and pork. I have been hearing lately that eating meat can actually hurt the environment more than just eating vegetables and fruit.

The one that surprised me the most was the my public and personal transportation. it was the second highest in my rating for consumption. Earlier this year I had gotten a new car that gets thirty some miles to the gallon compared to my last two cars that only got around 13-18 miles per gallon. I was surprised because I do drive a lot and I never take public transportation. Though, if I had taken this last year it might of been around the same because I live on campus and I do not live with an extra person who uses my car.

I have been trying to make sure that things are turned off and unplugged when not used like fans, lights, computer, cable box, etc. I used to recycle all the time when I lived with my parents and sister but now I do not at all. I really have been wanting to change my ways and recycle again but it is hard because I do not want to walk out and put it in the recycling compactor plus my finance does not do it so there is no inspiration there.

http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/organic.html

 One thing that I know is going to be harder is eating organic foods. I have wanted to go organic but being a college student and the prices for these types of foods. Sometimes organic food does not taste as good though. I think personally that the world in general should ban pesticides and other products that harm the earth. One thing I know will probably never happen is me eating meat. I like meat and the only thing I think of that I could change is eating organic or natural meats.

http://www.nextnature.net/2008/12/i-want-my-organic-coke/

 Here are some of my consumption habits in the past twenty-four hours:

1. Energy Consumption- In the last 24 hours I have used the television for a few hours, the fan is constantly on in the bedroom, my phone was on the charger all night.
2. Fuel Consumption- I drove to work and  back, I put gas in my car last night, drove to school and back today, drove to Chick-Fil-A and Panda Express.
3. Food Intake- I ate Stuffed Crust Sausage and cheese Pizza Hut pizza with a small coca-cola, ate a hot dog and chips with milk, and ate chicken from Chick-Fil-A with a large coca-cola today.
4. Water Usage- I drank a cup of water last night from my PUR container and took a shower this morning for about fifteen minutes.
5. Packaging- I made a ton of subs in the deli and I wrapped them in paper and put them in paper sub bags, put meat and cheeses in plastic bags, used paper today to take notes which were in a binder, my food last night was in a plastic Ziploc bag and today I ate Chick-Fil-A in paper bag and the nuggets and fries were in waxed cardboard, I also drank my one coke in a wax paper cup and my other in a foam cup.