Ecological Footprint Generator S.8.4.6 Students will apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment (ex. reduction of carbon footprint and the use of non renewable resources impacts global warming / climate change). (MS ESS3 3) Honestly answer the following questions about your average lifestyle Never (once every few weeks) (once or twice a week) (nearly every day) Very (nearly every meal) Beef/Lamb Poultry Pork Fish Egg/Milk/Dairy Most of my meals are microwave dinners I sometimes supplement my canned ravioli with a salad About half and half sometimes I cook local food, sometimes I order pizza I m a farmer s market fiend but I really like potato chips I practically live on a farm How much of your diet is based on fresh, unpackaged foods? Very little. Most of the food I eat is not grown locally About one quarter About half About three quarters Most of the food I eat is grown locally How much of the food that you eat is locally grown or produced (less than 200 away? Not much maybe some T shirts and socks New pants and a shirt New pants, running shoes, a couple shirts, socks and underwear I m up to date with all the latest fashion trends What comes closest to your monthly new clothing, footwear and/or sporting goods purchases Maybe some bedding I haven t decorated in years A new lamp or table, just to spruce things up A couch, new bedroom set I change it up from time to time I completely refurnish my living room, it's an annual ritual What comes closest to your household s annual new household furnishings purchases:
Rarely (I maybe small items like a blender) (I replace broken appliances as needed) (I replace out of date appliances with new models) (I replace most of my appliances with the latest and greatest models) How often do you buy new household appliances? Rarely (I rarely purchase household electronics but may have a mobile phone for example) (I generally only replace broken TVs, computers, etc.) (I replace out of date models and occasionally buy a new gadget) (I own many of the newest gadgets on the market) How often do you buy home entertainment, personal computer equipment and electronic gadgets for your household? Very rarely (I buy a newspaper, book, or magazine a few times a year) (I read most of the news online and borrow many of the books and magazines I read) (I read some news online and subscribe to a magazine or newspaper or two) (I often get a newspaper and buy books or magazines every week or two) How often do you buy new books, magazines and newspapers for your household? I infrequently recycle paper Some (I recycle my newspapers or office paper, for example) Most (I recycle some products, like newspapers and cardboard) All, and I buy recycled paper products whenever possible How much of your paper waste do you recycle? I infrequently recycle the plastic I use Some (I recycle all plastic beverage containers, for example) Most (I recycle all plastic packaging, for example) All, and I purchase PCR recycled plastic products whenever possible How much of your plastic waste do you recycle? Wood Brick or stucco Vinyl Siding Aluminum Siding I dont know, or other What would you say comes closest to the materials your house is constructed with? 5% or less 5 20% 20 50% 50 75% 75 100% What percentage of your home s electricity comes from renewable sources (either directly or through purchased green power)? What do you typically spend per month on electricity for your home? Ask someone at home for an approximate amount What do you typically spend per month on gas for your home? Ask someone at home for an approximate amount
0 or I never drive in a car 1 50 50 150 150 200 200 300 300 or more How far do you travel by car each week (as a driver or passenger)? Fewer than 5 per 5 15 per 15 30 per 30 40 per More than 40 per I dont know What is the gas mileage of the car you travel in the most often? Almost never Very Almost Always How often do you drive in a car with someone else? X 0 1 5 5 25 25 50 50 or more How far do you travel by bus each week? 0 1 5 5 25 25 50 50 or more How far do you travel by train each week? I never fly 0 4 hours 4 10 hours 10 25 hours 25 100 hours 100 hours or more How many hours do you fly each year? (On an airplane people dont fly) Footprint Generator Procedure 1. Go to http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/gfn/page/calculators/ 2. Scroll down and select USA 3. Select Begin 4. Next to New Users click Get Started 5. QUICKLY create an avatar and press OK Click to Continue 6. For each of the next few pages you have an option of entering basic information or entering detailed information. For each page enter the Detailed Information on the bottom. ENTER THE INFORMATION FROM THE TOP OF THIS WORKSHEET!!! If you enter something different you MUST change it on your worksheet Ecological Footprint: Number of Worlds: Global Acres: Tons of Carbon Dioxide: How does your Ecological Footprint break down:
Food: _% Shelter: _% Mobility: _% Goods: _% Services: % What are 10 steps humans can do to reduce their ecological / carbon footprint? Hint: Google Ways to reduce your carbon footprint 1. 6. 2. 7. 3. 8. 4. 9. 5. 10. What are 3 specific things YOU personally can do to reduce your footprint? BE SPECIFIC!!! Bad Example: Reduce Water Good Example: Reduce your shower length by 2 minutes 1. 2. 3. With your current plan, recomplete the footprint generator procedure. ONLY CHANGE THE ITEMS IN YOUR PLAN!!! We want to reduce the number of variables we have NEW Ecological Footprint: Number of Worlds: Global Acres: Tons of Carbon Dioxide: How does your NEW Ecological Footprint break down: Food: _% Shelter: _% Mobility: _% Goods: _% Services: % Why is it so important to follow your plan / reduce your carbon footprint? Be specific.