ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT

Our Household's Ecological Footprint

The world’s average footprint is just about 2.25 hectares (ha) while our household has a footprint of 1.6 ha per capital. At this time, the planet has just about 11.2 billion hectares (27.7 billion acres) of biologically productively and sea surfaces. Therefore, if all the people of the earth (7 billion) will live as we do, then the earth will have an ecological reserve. A global average of 1.0 ha per capital is equal to a demand of less than 50% of the earth’s bio capacity. as a result I can say that we are living within the means of nature and to some degree are contributing to environmental sustainability.

The major contributors to the 1.6 hectare footprint per capital of our household are food (11,618sqm ) and housing (3,374sqm), which mostly reflects electric and fuel consumption. For electric consumption, we pay an average of Php 10,000 for 320 kWh consumed per month. I am not sure whether this is acceptable, but we have noted that the present consumption is much larger than what we used to have about 3 years ago. Thus we are still trying to lessen electric consumption by means of reducing most particularly the use of air conditioner. Still, we know that this goal can also be achieved by using more energy efficient appliances so we are trying bit by bit or replace the old ones. Our electric consumption reflects 8,113 sqm of fossil energy per capital. Definitely, that number can still be significantly decreased.

For food, we consume 8,769 sqm of fossil energy, 9,659 sqm of arable land, and 42,051 sqm of pasture land (per capital). The major source of demand is by eating out. Approximately all of us eat out every day and this cannot be avoided because either the members of the family work or attend school. There are really several problems with eating out. First, the meals are repacked and it is very rarely that we can do something with our left over so it will not be deserted straight into the trash bin. However, at home, we have pets to eat our leftover. Second, the majority of food served in food chains is meat based, which requires a relatively larger land area. Thus, if we want to cut short our footprint in terms of food consumption, we should try as much as possible to stay out of food chains. We also should be cautious of what kind of food we eat. Lessening the consumption of egg per month might be of help, knowing that it requires great amount of fossil energy. Why eggs should not also be eaten in several servings per week.

The method of calculating our ecological footprint does not end with a projected figure. It is good to know that our household has a footprint of only 1.6 ha per capital. Though, numbers can only tell so much. In our part, we know that we can still improve our way of living and make it more pleasant with the environment. Recognizing this and practicing this knowledge makes more significance.

THE 11TH HOUR

   The movie that I've watch is filled with Truth and the alarming bottom line of the state of the planet we call home and how we got here so fast. We worry about the economy but our planet is becoming more and more not fit to live in and that very fact should logically surpass our current economic systems to the point that new working systems that we have are ushered in. If we choose to continue on the course we are presently human beings who will become extinct like the insane amount of living things that we have watched go extinct and so many more that we will. We are reaping what has been sown but there is hope if you choose to care and believe we can all make the best choices, we can personally and connect with others that are doing what they can to learn and are working together and we really become connected to nature and all the beauty and wonder to be found. Nature has so very much to teach us if we are ready to listen and act in her best interests.

Green world

10 ways to help the environment

"Going green" doesn't have to be a daunting task that means sweeping life changes. Simple things can make a difference.

Conserve Water
We can't live without water, and anyone who's experienced a drought can attest to the preciousness of H2O. The natural world around us needs water just as much as we do, so we can't save the environment without saving our water supply, as well. Conserving water starts with looking at it as a limited resource and consuming it with that in mind.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
This trio of "R" words has become almost as pervasive as the old "reading, writing, arithmetic" combo. But it's no less important today than when it was first introduced. The overwhelming amount of garbage produced each year -- hundreds of millions of tons in America alone -- is one of the biggest hurdles to a healthy environment

Live Where You Work
It may seem like living near your place of employment is just common sense. After all, if you spend eight or more hours working every day, that's a pretty big chunk of your time. Living near your work means that you can cut down on what would otherwise be a lengthy commute. That's a good thing for the environment, as well as for your daily schedule.

Recycle Glass
Recycled glass reduces related air pollution by 20 percent and related water pollution by 50 percent. If it isn't recycled it can take a million years to decompose.

Wrap Creatively
You can reuse gift bags, bows and event paper, but you can also make something unique by using old maps, cloth or even newspaper. Flip a paper grocery bag inside out and give your child stamps or markers to create their own wrapping paper that's environmentally friendly and extra special for the recipient.

Rethink Bottled water
Nearly 90% of plastic water bottles are not recycled, instead taking thousands of years to decompose. Buy a reusable container and fill it with tap water, a great choice for the environment, your wallet, and possibly your health. The EPA's standards for tap water are more stringent than the FDA's standards for bottled water.

Take a Shorter Shower
Every two minutes you save on your shower can conserve more than ten gallons of water. If everyone in the country saved just one gallon from their daily shower, over the course of the year it would equal twice the amount of freshwater withdrawn from the Great Lakes every day.

Recycle Aluminum and Glass
Twenty recycled aluminium cans can be made with the energy it takes to manufacture one brand new one.
Every ton of glass recycled saves the equivalent of nine gallons of fuel oil needed to make glass from virgin materials.

Use Rechargeable Batteries
Each year 15 billion batteries produced and sold and most of them are disposable alkaline batteries. Only a fraction of those are recycled. Buy a charger and a few sets of rechargeable batteries. Although it requires an upfront investment, it is one that should pay off in no time. And on Christmas morning when all the stores are closed? You'll be fully stocked.

Do not pre-heat the oven
Unless you are making bread or pastries of some sort, don't pre-heat the oven. Just turn it on when you put the dish in. Also, when checking on your food, look through the oven window instead of opening the door.