Ecological Footprint

In case anyone doesn't know what the ecological footprint is; here's the quiz to find out yours.

And here's one guy's discussion of how it relates to Radical Simplicity.

I'll share my score, if anyone's interested (not sure if comparing scores would be encouraging or discouraging; i'll leave it to you to decide).  It's not ideal, but I'm actively working toward reducing it, and that's got to count for something. 

Re: Ecological Footprint

I just took the quiz and was shocked to see my score.  I thought I was moving in the right direction, but there is clearly a lot more that I can do.  Thank you for sharing the link.  I've got some new goals to work on!

Re: Ecological Footprint

Oh, ouch!  My score shocked me as well.  Thanks for the link.  But how 'bout some suggestions for what the average (read:impoverished) apartment dweller can do.

Re: Ecological Footprint

My score wasn't too bad, though I'd like it to be better.  And it didn't factor in my buying organic, or not buying new furniture, or using a front-loading washer, which greatly reduces our water consumption.

Any of y'all get the green issue (May) of Vanity Fair?  There's an excellent essay by Al Gore in there about global warming.

Re: Ecological Footprint

So I'm trying to reduce my direct and indirect use  of oil  ….I have no control of my heating (Renter)  and occasionally  I have to take a bus (I don't drive) does anyone have ideas for my on how I can change  my lifestyle other than these two things!

Re: Ecological Footprint

Cut back on processed food, organic or otherwise and on food that is non-local (again, organic or otherwise).  Something on the order of 1/5 of the US' petroleum usage is by the food industry (this includes synthetic fertilizers, refrigeration, transport, etc) - about as much as goes into cars. For moe on the food side I'd highly recommend reading The Omnivore's Dilemma.  y totalfootprint was 9, or 2.1 planets. I'mnot sure wat the scale is that it's on.  My own score would drop if I ate lss meat. I'd like o switch to gass-farmed meats as they seem to be more nutritious and, while it doesn't show on tat test, would also reduce footprint.

Re: Ecological Footprint

I, as well, thought I was doing better than the score said. I'm going to focus on buying more locally produced foods, instead of food that needed lots of transportation to reach my house.

Re: Ecological Footprint

I'm not as great as I hoped that I would be but I'm infinitely better than I was five years ago when I took a similar test….I went down from 12.4 planets to 3.1 planets….I'm heading in the right direction with some work to do…thanks for pointing the way…!

Re: Ecological Footprint

whew! Good questions in the test! So, my total footprint is an 8. Food = 3.2  Shelter = 2.7  Mobility = 0   If everyone lived like me we'd need 1.7 planets…. Arg!

Did anyone see the Take Action calculator. Turn the Tide communtiy? or the forums: Simplify the Holidays   Buy Wisely   or some of their blogs?

Really interesting website! I needed to see this! Thanks,
PJ

Re: Ecological Footprint

My footprint is 9 or 2.1 planets.  I am pretty surprised!  My acres for food scored at 3 point something.  I need to eat more locally, something I've known, but haven't really put into practice.  Thank you for sharing this quiz!