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 >
Honestly, I feel like I'm killing the planet all by myself. My purchases is 427
which is higher than all of the people in my class.
Lol mine is slightly lower than my class average (451), but the food is definitely more than the class average (Mine is 5698)
Dear Zeyris, no you're not killing the planet all by yourself! Climate change is a global problem that requires global solutions, But part of that package of global solutions is every individual taking action. Think of this more as an opportunity to help. Your eyes are now open! What are you willing to do to lower your impact? Can you set an example for others so that they might be inspired to do the same?
If you are really worried about the imprint of your carbon footprint from purchases, there are some simple things you can do to take action and work towards a less carbon emitting lifestyle. First you could get a reusable water bottle, and even if this seems unsubstantial, it really does make a difference. If you tend to buy a lot of items with packaging, then try to recycle that material. Lastly if you don't receive a lot of used clothes from family or friends, you may want to consider buying from second hand stores. Even though you would still be shopping, you wouldn't be buying new clothes from big clothing branches that were most likely made in CO2 emitting factories.
Yeah! I have purchases at 423, but my total (9691) is much less than the average of the U.S. (44297) Don't worry if it seems high. It's usually a good idea for you to check the data of others, before saying that you are the cause of the sky falling.
No, your not killing the planet all by yourself. My purchases was 615, which is high but there were many others in my class who were much higher. A few people were even in the 1000s. People in my class's purchase data varied widely from one girl having 95 to another girl having 4911. You should not think of it in terms of you alone killing the earth, because you're not. We are all contributing to the killing of our planet. But that can change. It is on our generation to start saving the planet so we need to begin raising awareness. My total carbon footprint is 21,776 and I want to make it smaller. It just takes people like you and me to start changing our habits a little to be more eco-friendly.