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Welcome to the April 2025 ISCFC discussion forum!

Look to the right side of this page, and you will see a series of Student Discussion topics listed. Students: you should look through those topics, read other students' comments, post replies, and add your own thoughts. Join as many discussions as you like!

Teachers can meet other ISCFC participating teachers and share ideas at the Teacher Planning Discussion link at right.

Note that all teachers and students who wish to participate in the forum will need to register, you can now use a single registration for both the footprint calculator and our new forum!

Click the buttons at the top right of every page to either Register or Log in so that you can participate in the forum.

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Recent posts:

Mr.wiggles   2025-02-07 16:00:47 (Last post: 2025-02-26 19:37:34) in Wants or Needs?
wants or needs

I think before buying anything to see if you need it at all. here’s an example Max needs to buy shampoo he sees the one his mother told him to get, but he sees the one everyone has and has been told is the best shampoo they got so he buys the more expensive shampoo in instead of the one his mother told him to buy because he thinks the more expensive on is better

Midge_2010   2025-02-08 13:09:27 in Wants or Needs?

I think I would agree because the difference between a want and a need is something very important because just because you want it doesn't mean it will be the most efficient and the most useful for that I need just because I could use it or it is what everybody has.

Aceofabase   2025-02-10 15:29:01 in Wants or Needs?

This is a good example of a want and a need. Some people want to get a soda with the money they have, but they need to get water. You have to get what you need so that you can survive. But then the environmental safety aspect comes into play so you need to get something that you can refill.

1029325@oside.us   2025-02-11 22:34:41 in Wants or Needs?

I think this sends a good message about wants and needs, and I agree with choosing a needs over a wants. But one problem I see with this is how people are attached to their wants. With how many luxury items people have, it may be difficult to remove their wants. For example, let's say Billy has a Nintendo switch and playground outside in his local park. The Nintendo switch will increase his carbon footprint but the playground will not, but for Billy it's hard to leave his Nintendo switch for the playground. The main problem is if people are willing to cut out their luxuries for lowering their carbon footprint.

GrizzlyGirl2   2025-02-25 21:49:59 in Wants or Needs?

The goal for luxury items and ecological footprints is not to get rid of all the things that increase your footprint, but to simply lower how often you use it. At this point of time, humanity is never going to get rid of these luxury items. Billy can simply slowly spend say thirty minutes at the park, and then the rest of his time on his switch. Every week, he can increase how often he goes to the park, perhaps liking it more. Another example of slowly getting rid of a luxury item is a car. Say Billy drives to the park. He can bike there, once a week. Then the next month, twice, and onwards. The same slow acclimation can be applied to switching diets, or really anything. Changing our world isn't going to be fast, and so is using certain things over others.

Grizzzz   2025-02-26 19:37:34 in Wants or Needs?

Something

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Whydoyouevenask   2025-02-07 16:14:25 (Last post: 2025-02-11 22:50:03) in Student Footprints
My Food Footprint

The highest part of my carbon footprint was with my food spending.  I feel that this is because I eat a lot of foods that come in these plastic and cardboard containers, and I am increasing my carbon footprint by a significant amount.  To combat this, I can start to buy foods that are sold outside of boxes, and fewer snacks, to improve my efficiency.

1029325@oside.us   2025-02-11 22:50:03 in Student Footprints

To have a better understanding why your food spending is the largest part of your carbon footprint, it's not the plastic or cardboard containers but actually the meat. To be more specific it's all the land, energy, and the waste used/created by the livestock. If you want to decrease your food carbon footprint, you should buy less meat, not saying you should be completely vegan, but incorporate more veggies or less meat into your diet. You contribute to the problem as you spend more on meat, and the companies supplying are more likely to continue to supply more meat and increase the carbon release.

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Go Diego GO 5   2025-02-11 14:35:46 (Last post: 2025-02-11 14:49:10) in Clean Development
Case studies

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, located in a developed coastal area of the United States, focuses on marine conservation and environmental management. In contrast, the Mi Teleférico Cable Car Project, situated in the mountainous region of Bolivia, primarily addresses urban development challenges by enhancing public transportation. These case studies highlight how projects can differ significantly based on regional context and sector-specific objectives.

DoorSal   2025-02-11 14:49:10 in Clean Development

ok

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lebronismydad   2025-02-07 16:00:53 (Last post: 2025-02-10 15:39:01) in Think Big
Lebron

In the shadow of Magic Johnson’s retired jersey and in the building Kobe Bryant made famous, LeBron James made his case for immortality. An 18-foot fadeaway jumper late in the third quarter Tuesday officially established James as the greatest scorer in NBA history, and as the celebrity-sprinkled, sold-out crowd roared its approval, many would admit: They were acknowledging the greatest player the league has ever seen, too.

The GOAT debate will always be a subjective one, fiery conversation for barrooms and barbershops. Michael Jordan supporters are entrenched in their position. Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, faces of an earlier era, have plenty of advocates, too. Each has a compelling case. Russell’s championships, Jordan’s perfect Finals record, Wilt’s staggering season averages. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, seated courtside Tuesday, mastered a seemingly impossible shot. In 20 NBA seasons, though, James has done more.
Four NBA championships. Four MVPs. More points in the playoffs than any player in NBA history. And now Abdul-Jabbar’s nearly four-decade reign as the NBA’s regular-season scoring king is in the rearview mirror. Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring title was once considered one of sports’ unbreakable records, like Joe DiMaggio’s hitting streak or Wayne Gretzky’s career points total. James, a self-styled pass-first playmaker, has eclipsed it, and there is no telling how much distance he will put between them.

“Impact?” asked Lakers coach Darvin Ham. “Man for man? I think he’s at the top of the list.”

Indeed, James’s statistics are astonishing. He has passed Abdul-Jabbar and is more than 11,000 points ahead of any active player behind him. Just last week he leapfrogged Mark Jackson and Steve Nash, generational playmakers, on the all-time assist list. He has more career rebounds than David Robinson and Ben Wallace. He ranks in the top 10 in steals with an outside chance to pass Clyde Drexler on the list later this season.Jordan backers will point to Michael’s sterling 6–0 Finals record, but before Jordan was beating up on Seattle, Utah and Phoenix in Finals series he was getting wiped out by Milwaukee, Boston and Detroit in the early rounds of the playoffs. Jordan’s Bulls were the betting favorites in each of their Finals appearances while James routinely went into them on the other side. That isn’t meant to marginalize Jordan’s accomplishments as much as to acknowledge James’s 4–6 Finals mark is more impressive than it looks.

Critics will say James cherry-picked rosters, that Ping-Ponging between Cleveland and Miami before settling in Los Angeles somehow diminishes him. But Jordan didn’t change teams because Jordan didn’t have to. He had a Hall of Fame GM in Jerry Krause who identified the talent in Scottie Pippen and brought John Paxson, Horace Grant and Dennis Rodman to the Bulls. He had Phil Jackson on the sideline and an offense tailor made for his talents. James has cycled through a handful of coaches, countless teammates and more than a few systems and has been the driving force behind at least one championship at each of his NBA stops. His five buzzer-beating playoff game-winners are the most in league history—two ahead of Jordan on that list.

James has played five more seasons than Jordan, which in the great GOAT debate is often used as a cudgel. Perhaps James’s peak years can’t match Jordan’s, but his twilight has far outpaced him. Jordan spent his late 30s in a Wizards uniform, racking up numbers for a team going nowhere. The Lakers have struggled this season, but no one would dispute that with better health and a better roster James is still capable of leading a team to a championship. In a postgame interview James reiterated his intention to play “a couple of” more seasons and there is little reason to doubt that James, 38, can’t play at a high level well into his 40s. He wore a white headband on Tuesday, because “that’s where the journey started” and two decades in it appears far from over.

The debate isn’t settled, because it will never be settled, no matter how many points James scores, no matter how many championships he wins. “I can’t take anyone over me,” James told reporters Tuesday and most objective observers wouldn’t, either. One of the NBA’s biggest winners who became one of the NBA’s best playmakers is now its all-time leading scorer. That’s great stuff. GOAT stuff.

Julien Nolan   2025-02-07 16:13:50 in Think Big

Lebronismydad how does lebrons career co exist with the question "What big and bold ideas do you have for reducing personal, community, country and even global carbon footprints? ". Please next time say something that actually goes with the question.

lebronismydad   2025-02-07 16:16:34 in Think Big

Julien Lebron is the one of the biggest humans in the world, his athleticism and beautiful touch around the rim shows how with his influence can save the world.  Also Lebron clears Micheal

Julien Nolan   2025-02-07 16:17:55 in Think Big

I understand what your trying to say buddy but I think that Lebron ain't even that good we all know Michael Jordan is better.

justinruizishotasl   2025-02-10 15:32:01 in Think Big

Daddy chill

Guillermo serrato   2025-02-10 15:39:01 in Think Big

Saying "Daddy chill" in the context of a serious conversation about climate change is highly inappropriate. Climate change is one of the most urgent and impactful issues we face globally, and dismissing it with a flippant or disrespectful comment undermines the gravity of the situation. It's essential to engage in these conversations with respect and understanding, as they affect our planet's future and the well-being of all living creatures.

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Guillermo serrato   2025-02-07 16:16:21 (Last post: 2025-02-10 15:30:13) in Is Climate Change Real & Human-Caused?
Yes

Yes, climate change is real and caused by humans. Evidence shows rising temperatures, melting ice, and more extreme weather events. Activities like burning fossil fuels, cutting down trees, and pollution have increased greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the atmosphere. I’m deaduzz.

justinruizishotasl   2025-02-10 15:27:00 in Is Climate Change Real & Human-Caused?

I totally agree—climate change is a pressing issue, and human activities are a big part of the problem. The evidence is undeniable, and it’s alarming to see how quickly things are changing. It’s also wild how connected everything is, from the way we use resources to how ecosystems are being affected. But we still have time to make a difference if we take action now, even if it feels overwhelming at times. How do you think we can push for more change, even on a smaller level?

Guillermo serrato   2025-02-10 15:27:49 in Is Climate Change Real & Human-Caused?

You're right, the interconnectedness of everything is crazy to think about! Even small actions can make a big impact when it comes to pushing for change. On a smaller level, we can start by being mindful of our personal consumption—things like reducing waste, supporting sustainable businesses, using public transport, or even planting trees. It all adds up. But beyond that, pushing for policy changes is key. Voting for leaders who prioritize climate action, supporting local environmental initiatives, and advocating for stronger regulations around emissions and deforestation can make a huge difference. What do you think—what small changes do you find most effective?

justinruizishotasl   2025-02-10 15:28:42 in Is Climate Change Real & Human-Caused?

I love your point about how small actions add up! It really does feel empowering to realize that even individual choices can create a ripple effect. For me, some of the most effective changes have been reducing single-use plastics and opting for more sustainable alternatives. Also, I’ve been trying to support businesses that have clear sustainability goals, like those using renewable energy or eco-friendly packaging. Another small change that’s made a big impact is trying to reduce food waste by planning meals more carefully and using leftovers creatively. It all feels like a step in the right direction, but you’re right—policy changes are key to making systemic progress. Do you have any tips for making sustainability a bit easier in everyday life?

Guillermo serrato   2025-02-10 15:29:15 in Is Climate Change Real & Human-Caused?

I love that you're focusing on reducing single-use plastics, supporting sustainable businesses, and tackling food waste! Those small changes are definitely a huge step in the right direction. Making sustainability easier in everyday life can sometimes be about convenience, but with a few tweaks, it can feel more manageable. Here are a few tips:

1. **Streamline your shopping**: Keep a list of eco-friendly products you use regularly, so when you shop, you can easily choose the sustainable option. Things like bamboo toothbrushes, refillable cleaning products, and sustainable food storage can make a big difference.
   
2. **Invest in reusable items**: Reusable bags, water bottles, coffee cups, and even produce bags can help you cut down on waste. Having these items ready to go makes it easier to avoid single-use plastics when you're out and about.

3. **Buy in bulk**: This one’s great for reducing packaging waste. Bulk buying grains, nuts, and cleaning supplies helps minimize plastic use. Plus, it usually ends up being more cost-effective in the long run!

4. **Compost if you can**: If you have a garden or even just a small space, composting food scraps can be a game-changer. It keeps waste out of landfills and provides you with nutrient-rich soil for plants.

5. **Support local and seasonal foods**: It’s not only fresher and often more affordable, but buying locally produced, seasonal food reduces carbon emissions from transportation.

I think it’s all about making small, incremental changes that feel natural and manageable, while also staying mindful of the bigger picture. What’s one area you’d like to focus on making more sustainable this year?

justinruizishotasl   2025-02-10 15:30:13 in Is Climate Change Real & Human-Caused?

yessir! SHEESHHHHHHHHHHH boi this is an epic bruh moment. REEEEEEE- perfectly cut scream???

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DoorSal   2025-02-10 15:26:57 (Last post: 2025-02-10 15:29:09) in Home Grown
Food

Food

DoorSal   2025-02-10 15:29:09 in Home Grown

Favorite Food?

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Go Diego GO 5   2025-02-07 15:58:42 (Last post: 2025-02-10 15:27:22) in Home Grown
border hopping

just hop over the border

lebronismydad   2025-02-07 16:03:22 in Home Grown

Bro this is extremely inappropriate delete this right now!

Julien Nolan   2025-02-07 16:06:22 in Home Grown

This is very inappropriate and I am not proud of you for doing such a disrespectful comment based off of someones race

RemiReyes12   2025-02-07 16:11:05 in Home Grown

Why I Feel Disrespected When Someone Says "Mexican Border Hopping"

Words carry weight, and the way people use language can reflect deep-seated biases, misconceptions, and even outright discrimination. One phrase that I find particularly offensive and disrespectful is "Mexican border hopping." This term is not only derogatory, but it also perpetuates harmful stereotypes, disregards the complex realities of immigration, and diminishes the humanity of those involved.

The Disrespect in the Phrase

The phrase "Mexican border hopping" is inherently disrespectful because it reduces an entire group of people to an illegal action. It implies that Mexicans are simply sneaking across the border as if it were a casual or playful act, rather than acknowledging the desperation, danger, and complexity surrounding immigration. It strips people of their dignity and fails to recognize their struggles, sacrifices, and motivations.

Furthermore, the phrase often carries a mocking or dismissive tone, suggesting that people who cross the U.S.-Mexico border are merely rule-breakers or opportunists rather than individuals seeking safety, stability, and a better future for their families. By using such language, people contribute to a culture of dehumanization, where immigrants are not seen as individuals with dreams and struggles but rather as a problem to be dealt with.

Perpetuating Harmful Stereotypes

One of the most damaging aspects of the term "Mexican border hopping" is how it reinforces negative stereotypes about Mexican immigrants. It feeds into the false and dangerous narrative that all or most Mexicans enter the United States illegally, ignoring the reality that many come through legal means such as work visas, student visas, or asylum applications.

Moreover, the phrase promotes the idea that Mexican immigrants are inherently lawbreakers, which fuels discrimination, xenophobia, and even hostility toward anyone of Mexican or Latino descent. These stereotypes have real-world consequences, leading to racial profiling, workplace discrimination, and even violence against immigrants and their communities.

Ignoring the Realities of Immigration

Immigration, especially from Mexico and other Latin American countries, is far more complex than the phrase "border hopping" implies. Many individuals and families make the heart-wrenching decision to leave their home countries due to factors like poverty, violence, political instability, and lack of economic opportunities. Many asylum seekers are fleeing persecution or life-threatening situations, seeking refuge in a country that promotes itself as a land of opportunity and freedom.

By using dismissive terms like "Mexican border hopping," people ignore the struggles and traumas of those who migrate. They fail to acknowledge the immense risks immigrants take, from crossing treacherous terrain to facing exploitation by smugglers and corrupt officials. Many immigrants endure harrowing journeys, often losing their lives in the process. Reducing these profound experiences to a flippant phrase is not just disrespectful—it is cruel.

The Need for Respectful Dialogue

Language shapes perceptions, and the way we talk about immigration matters. Instead of using derogatory and demeaning phrases, we should strive for respectful, accurate language that reflects the humanity of those involved. Recognizing the challenges immigrants face and treating them with dignity can foster more compassionate and productive conversations about immigration policies and reforms.

Rather than calling someone a "border hopper," people should acknowledge them as an immigrant, a person seeking a better life, or someone navigating a broken immigration system. When we choose our words carefully, we contribute to a more inclusive and understanding society.

Conclusion

Hearing someone use the term "Mexican border hopping" is not just offensive—it is a reminder of the deep-seated prejudices that exist against immigrants. The phrase dehumanizes individuals, perpetuates harmful stereotypes, and oversimplifies the realities of immigration. Instead of using divisive and disrespectful language, we should engage in meaningful discussions that recognize the struggles and aspirations of immigrants. Respect starts with language, and by being mindful of our words, we can work toward a more just and empathetic world.

DoorSal   2025-02-07 16:16:56 in Home Grown

WHat going on

Guillermo serrato   2025-02-07 16:18:51 in Home Grown

Remi, I understand your perspective, but I think it’s important to look at this issue from a broader context. While it's crucial to be mindful of the language we use, I don’t think the term "border hopping" was intended to dehumanize or disrespect anyone. People often use it to describe the illegal crossing of borders, regardless of nationality, without meaning to target any specific group of people. It's not denying the struggles immigrants face, but rather pointing to the legal aspects of immigration. The conversation around immigration is complex, and sometimes language reflects that complexity. By focusing on the action itself, people are addressing concerns about border security and the legal process, not aiming to dismiss the humanity of individuals seeking a better life. However, I do agree that we should strive to have respectful and open conversations, where we acknowledge the broader challenges people face.

lebronismydad   2025-02-10 15:27:22 in Home Grown

I appreciate your perspective, and I completely agree that the language we use when discussing immigration is incredibly nuanced. You're right that terms like "border hopping" can often be used to refer to illegal border crossings without necessarily intending to disrespect individuals. The challenge, though, lies in the broader context—sometimes language can unintentionally reduce complex human experiences to simplified actions, which may contribute to the dehumanization of those involved.

Guillrmo I think it’s important to balance addressing legal concerns, such as border security, with empathy for the human stories behind immigration. The individuals who seek better lives often face immense hardships and risks, and it’s crucial to keep that in mind as we engage in these conversations. Language shapes perceptions, and as you said, maintaining a respectful dialogue where we acknowledge the broader struggles people face is key to fostering understanding. Ultimately, it’s about creating a space where legal discussions and humanitarian concerns can coexist, without losing sight of the humanity at the center of the issue.

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Whydoyouevenask   2025-02-10 13:39:21 in Now It's Time for Action
Less cows

I believe that I could eat less cheese, which comes primarily from cows that produce methane from their bodily gases.  Along with cows, eating less steak and beef would help slow climate change, as less use of cows means that the farmers will need less and therefore there will be a decrease in the methane released in total.

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justinruizishotasl   2025-02-09 23:45:27 in Wants or Needs?
wants

Because you got to fill in the things you want to continue moving in life.

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NotLiamG   2025-02-09 23:02:34 in Now It's Time for Action
time for action

I’ll be willing to cut the water waste. I take a shower in the morning to get ready in the morning then I shower at night. My showers at most are up to 15 minutes. Challenges could be staying clean, I take two showers usually because I'll start to smell like every other person. I also run a lot which causes me to smell so I shower for that as well. So my wanting to stay clean is gonna outweigh trying to help the environment. My parents would probably want it and I could just use more deodorant and calones.

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Midge_2010   2025-02-08 13:05:17 in Wants or Needs?
Wants or Needs?

OK so here's the thing. I don't really get anything new regarding technology. I got my first phone around my 11th birthday. I'm 14 now turning 15 and my ancient IPhone SE just broke, so guess what I got? A hand me down that wasn't used except by someone else, who, just got a different phone and didn't want to use it anymore. I never had technology other than that phone of mine unless it was the school Chromebooks that I was given to protect with my life. So I never really got a new model, and if anything I got a model DOWN form my old one, if that's even possible. The phone I have now is ANCIENT, and when I say ancient, I mean it. I've never gotten the new model or anything so that really wasn't a need, it was a want. But I'm a busy person and needed to stay in contact with my family, so in a way it kind of was a need in a certain way. And if I did get an upgrade I probably wouldn't have considered the environmental impacts they had. It was something I wanted and something I had, so I would use it and not consider what it could do to the environment. If I was addicted I don't really know what I would do to get off of it. I kind of need my phone for EVERYTHING I do so it would be really hard to try to change that.

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Midge_2010   2025-02-08 12:49:47 in MY Family Footprint
MY Family Footprint

When I took the survey and saw that my carbon footprint is so much less than that of others, I thought to myself, "Wow, I must be doing a really good job!" But then came the difficult task of thinking about my whole family combined and what we could or should do differently to use less carbon. I started doing some online research and found out that there are a couple of things that me and my family could do to make a difference. To start, we could start using less electricity which includes thermostats, charging phones or computers, or even using less TV time. We could use less paper and plastic and start saving them and recycling them when needed. Using less water is also a big factor because since I have such a big family we use a lot of water, so trying to filter it and save it without using plastic is a big factor. But the one thing that would be very helpful is making our own garden. It doesn't take too much money and since we are very big in eating fruits and vegetables, we always spend a lot of money on having to buy them from stores. Instead, we could just make our own garden and have them freshly grown to our own desire. Once we start doing all of these things, it will help our family use less carbon and be more efficient.

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