. Needless to say, I thought I was better than that. Not necessarily because I go out of my way to save the planet, but I'm a poor college student like the rest of you, and I try to live frugally. I own an '86 toyota corolla and drive maybe 50 miles a week, so gas consumption isn't a major concern of mine. I buy groceries and cook my own food rather than going out all the time. I don't eat much meat, but generally something every day. I live with four other people who pretty much never touch the thermostat, and in the summer we maybe water the lawn twice a week. The city of Rocklin recycles all our garbage for us, but I try to reuse water bottles and tupperware instead of plastic bags. I'm not quite sure how much more, at this time in my life, I will be able to reduce my carbon footprint further. And it's not that I don't care, but I can only live within my means at the moment. Back when I had money a lifetime ago I bought organic foods, paid for the extra energy saving bulbs and household devices, and even donated money to save rainforest land. I suppose when you don't have to worry about saving every dime you make you can afford to help out others. At least I can say that every animal I've ever owned was either a rescue or adoption, but then again you have to FEED dogs and cats meat, so I suppose that doesn't help in any way, shape or form. To answer the question of whether or not it is fair for people in the United States to have such a large ecological footprint, I would have to say that there are people in our society that donate time and money to lower our footprint as a nation, while I know some countries do little or nothing to slow the process. Poor communities and countries will have to rely on the work of richer ones to balance everything out, and despite our current economic condition, I think the U.S. is capable of doing just that over time. It will have to be.~Nefreet
Hi, We had a very similar footprint. I didn't even think about the animals we have in the house, you are right they do eat meat. I am afraid though, that this is often not the best kind of meat and might be byproducts of the parts that people don't eat. When you get your animals from rescue or adoption, they were probably spayed or neutered, so no offspring from your animals that have to be taken care off and fed again.
ReplyDeleteYou are right to say that they are people in the US who donate time and money to lower our footprint, but it won't be enough unless we all participate. I am sure you have been wondering what you can change within your budget and time. I found it interesting what Keely had to say yesterday that thinking "footprint wise", you better off buying food local then going organic. I already adjusting some things that I was planning on cooking this week. Good luck