To say the least I was surprised at how much I consume. The first thing that popped up on my screen was that we would need 6.18 Earths to provide my lifestyle to every person on earth. My carbon footprint was equal to 142 acres. The only area where my consumption was adequate was in my housing footprint because I live in an apartment and my goods and services footprint because I buy used furniture. I know that just by being an American I consume a lot by default, but I think that this test was inaccurate in some of its analyses because of the vague questions. One asked if I eat meat and seafood. I had to answer “yes” because I eat shrimp and the occasional fish dinner but seafood plays a very small part in my diet, and even less now that I have learned how the world’s oceans are being over fished.
Even with its inaccuracies this was a very awakening test to take because it showed just how much I am consuming and how it isn’t sustainable. The question this brings to mind is how can we lower our use? I don’t live a very luxurious life style, and still it is way too much. If we try to implement any plans to lower our consumption, people would riot in the streets and there would probably be wars. The only way is to come up with more sustainable sources of energy because I cannot see any way in which people would freely give up their modern conveniences.
No comments:
Post a Comment