According to this website, all we need 3.5 Earths in order for everyone to enjoy my style of living....
Although this website has good intentions, and is one of the best presented Eco-footprint calc, I do have some issues with their service. Just like the best steaks in the world, everything comes with a grain of salt. On this site in particular it's the way a user's ecological footprint is calculated forgoes global calculations and is based only off of national averages.
"The personal calculator asks questions that increase or decrease different parts of this matrix relative to national average behavior."
- http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/footprint_calculator_frequently_asked_questions/#gen1
Seems to me that this calculator is a more deceiving than it looks at first glance.. knowing that I had to try my lifestyle in other Countries..! (note: I kept every calculation as consistent as possible)
Japan - 1.7 Earths
Brazil - 1.1 Earths
China - 0.9 Earths
3 NEW Goals
1. According to the PB&J campaign (http://www.pbjcampaign.org/), consuming any plant based diet can help reduce the agricultural impact. I plan on consuming less meats, from 4 meals a week to 2.5 (3 every other week).
2. No more vending machine food. Between two majors and work on campus, I tend to enjoy a snack from the vending machines when I don't have enough time to make a meal or purchase something on campus. In order to do this, on Monday's, Tuesday's, and Thursday's I will wake up early to make my own packed lunch (most likely pb & j) in order to fulfill this goal. Wednesday's, being the hump day (you know, the rough day in the middle of the week?), I will plan to treat myself to a nice lunch on campus but only if I successfully reached my goals the previous week. This will serve as a personal incentive to live a greener life.
3. Most days I play an electric guitar for about 1.5 hours through a 150 Watt amplifier. This leads to most of my electrical needs since I don't watch TV and limit internet browsing on my computer to an hour every day. That being said, I pledge to only use the amp if I am jamming with the band. When I am practicing scales and chords at home I will play without an amp, in an attempt to reduce my electricity consumption.
Tim -- none of the calculators are perfect. The services share is legit because you use all the infrastructure services provided in the US and those have env. impacts. Your goals are completely ridiculous. If you are not going to take this course seriously, I suggest that you drop it. 0/50 points
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