Thursday, June 4, 2009

Ecological Footprint Test ~ How Do You Rate!

Tough economic times has impacted the way we live in numerous ways! Your ecological footprint is a measurement of lifestyle resources, consumption, and your overall impact on the environment. I found the Ecological Footprint Test on my buddy Ochi's site! Ochi said the test is for UK citizens, but interesting nonetheless! I took the test and my ecological footprint is 3.5, and if everyone lived like me we would need 2.2 planets to support global consumption! Man and I thought I was a real conserver! What is your ecological impact! Here are different ways I've tried to conserve:

1. Out here in the country we burn garbage, mostly paper like napkins, paper plates, cardboard food containers, plastic bags including garbage bags. The rest is divided into cans and glass products, which go to be reclycled! We also have a compost bin where we throw all our egg shells, vegetable and fruit peelings, and coffee and tea grinds. This year we spread the compost over our vegetable garden to fertilize the soil!

2. My husband strung me clotheslines in the utility room, so I can hang my laundry to dry! I used lines only for the winter months when I couldn't hang laundry outside, the lines are used all the time now! I prefer to hang my laundry outside in the sunshine and fresh air anytime possible! I rarely use the clothes dryer anymore to conserve electricity!

3. Talk about electricity, I use very little lighting in the daytime. We always turn out lights in rooms we aren't in! I can say my computer is in use at least 50% of the day, and I haven't tried to use the new energy saving lightbulbs. We do however use very little electricity for heat, as we burn wood all Winter long. We have oil backup heat, but we hardly ever use it!

4. Shopping at budget grocery stores, I take my own bags, reuse my own small boxes, and pack all my groceries myself! We in turn grow a huge garden and freeze all that we can to consume all Winter! I drink my own homemade beverages and use the same squirt bottle to take with me when I go out!

5. Gas prices have gone sky high again, so I'm sure that everyone is conserving here! We make only necessary trips to purchase things we need. I do have a teenager that is on the run constantly, so there are trips for her pleasure outings! She also belongs to many activities which makes more trips than we would like, but hey what are kids for!

I tend to sway back to the olden times, where I learned from my mother when we were poor. She taught me a lot about survival in tough times, including how to make budget food meals. What are your ways of conservation? How were you taught to conserve by your parents, what example are you setting for your own children to survive in tough times? Most of all how can you change the global consumption you use to conserve our ecological enviroment!

9 comments:

ochikeron said...

Your post is very interesting!!!

It is interesting to know that you hang clothes to dry! It's a Japanese style ;)

You also take a bottle of drink with you when you go out! Maybe it is an obvious way to conserve these days since it also saves money.

You know what!? Our parents seldom took us out to eat, so I always eat breakfast at home, bring my lunch with me to work, and try to eat dinner at home. But for dinner, to communicate well with my boyfriend, I go out once a week for a change ;) It also helps a lot to keep the community alive, so maybe I need to go out more... mixed feelings.

Jo A. T.B. said...

Hello Ochi,

I'm glad you find my post of some interest!

I do take a drink bottle with me when I go out, I hate to drink soft drinks. Once in awhile I'll buy bottled water, but not too often!

We didn't have money to go out much when we were young, so my mom always cooked us great meals. Yes you must treat yourself once in a while no harm in that! :)

Jo Janoski said...

I hear you. I have a utility room filled with drying clothes, too. lol. You know, in some community environments, they don't allow clothes lines. I guess they think it unsightly. Can you imagine?

Jo A. T.B. said...

Say what Jo, they don't allow clotheslines! I always thought clothes on the line was an act of cleanliness. I couldn't imagine!

terrymcdermott said...

Great post! Just wonder if you are on Twitter and Facebook. If so you can find Shamgar Report on both. Also on Facebook you can find my on porile, under my own name Terry McDermott.

Jo A. T.B. said...

Thanks glad you liked the post. I havent' had time to get on facebook and twitter. I hope to someday! I'll try to look you up!

ochikeron said...

Hi jo,

Nice lionfish and slides ;)
Time flies. It's already summer!!!

I just came here to say hello. I hope you are doing fine. I heard from you almost every day, so I just worried about you.

ochikeron said...

You don't have to come and comment on my blog. I know we are all busy sometimes ;)

Jo A. T.B. said...

Thanks Ochi, been away and extremely busy as of late! I love to visit and comment on your blog! I find your posts very interesting! Yes time flies, every second gone in an instant! :)

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