Students from around the world calculated their class mean and standard deviations for their footprints and posted them on our world map.
Do you see differences across the globe? If so, why do you think those differences exist?
Did you use the calculator to try to reduce your footprint down to the average from a citizen of another country? What changes would you have to make to lower your footprint in this way? Are you going to try and take some of these actions in your daily life?
Student Footprints >
Acid in our Oceans
Since 1750, the ocean's pH has dropped by 0.1, a 30 percent change in acidity created by carbon dioxide making carbonic acid due to a direct chemical exchange from humans. This rise in ocean acidity is affecting marine organisms such as coral and they're ability to produce a well-built shell because of low carbonate levels which is crucial for a successful shell. However, this is just one example of the effect carbon dioxide is having on our oceans that needs to change. Read more on NASA's study at http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Featur … /page5.php.