Environmentally Friendly

After considering some current environmental issues and seeing part of the LiveEarth Concerts online, I have decided to post about our precious environment. Green has become a hot topic and for good reason, our environment is important. As I have mentioned before, I don't always get along with nature - I'm terribly afraid of bees and don't really like grass... but despite my issues with the environment, I still have a deep respect for it.

First of all, I thought it would be a good idea to check my ecological footprint. (Click this link to calculate your own footprint). This website can help you determine your environmental footprint by answering a short survey. The results are daunting, but make one think. For example, these are my results:

	CATEGORY ACRES FOOD 5.4 MOBILITY 0.7 SHELTER 9.4 GOODS/SERVICES 9.1 TOTAL FOOTPRINT 25
	IN COMPARISON, THE AVERAGE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT IN YOUR COUNTRY IS 24 ACRES PER PERSON. WORLDWIDE, THERE EXIST 4.5 BIOLOGICALLY PRODUCTIVE ACRES PER PERSON.
	IF EVERYONE LIVED LIKE YOU, WE WOULD NEED 5.6 PLANETS.

5.6 earths that is scary and I don't consider myself to be particularly wasteful. Here is some info. from the same site on how to reduce your impact.

I took a class a few semesters back that required me to keep a journal about my environmental impact and to read books concerning environmental concerns. I learned a lot about how there are little things that can be done each day to help the environment. Everyone can make a difference - and any difference big or small is nice. Here are a few tips on how you can help the environment:

1. Recycle and Reuse. Taking the time to recycle is important - you can recycle cans, bottles, plastics, cardboard and paper (depending on where you live - not all options maybe available). Take back the plastic bags from the grocery store to be recycled or better yet don't use them at all. Share magazines with friends.

2. Don't leave on electrical appliances and lights if they are not needed. Make sure lights aren't left on unnecessarily.

3. Pay attention to watch you buy. Buy more efficient lightbulbs, stay away from goods that have a lot of packaging - such as individual wrapped snacks and drinks.

4. When you have to drive you car try and make one trip out - if you have a lot of errands on your to do list and get the done at as few places as possible or at least plot a course that helps save gas. Carpool if possible.

5. Try and stay away from water bottles - this topic was discussed on tonight's world news. See what the Mayor (and city of) of San Francisco is doing to help.

6. What is happening to the bees? I hate bees, but I still am curious as to where they are going. I figured they enjoyed torturing me and watching me run in fear - in public - embarrassing... Turns out scientists are struggling to find the reason why bees are disappearing. Is it cell phones, some chemical? Are they tired of scaring me? Whatever it is bees are important - they help pollinate crops and I do like to eat. So, as much as I may hate bees, I would like to know what's happening to them...

You may not think you can help the earth's current state, but every little bit helps. We have to start somewhere in the battle for our earth.

Lesson #10: Our earth is precious. We should all do what we can to make our future brighter. Every little bit helps. Support a greener living environment.

Sorry if this is too public service announcement like, but I really do think it is an interesting and important topic.