Welcome to Practical Sustainablity Solutions

This blog will provide the following functions to fulfill the requirement of environmental sustainability and FGCU University Colloquium's class in order to examine the current environmental, social, and economic situation. More importantly, based on these understandings supported by sound scientific evidence and reasoning, practical solutions to improve social and economic situations will be promoted for a mutually beneficial relationship.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Journal Entry 12- The Ecological Footprint

The Ecological Footprint
Energy Consumption can be reduced simply by making some behavioral or lifestyle changes.  Often times these changes will not have a drastic or even significant impact on the current human way of life, but will benefit the environment.  Some changes I could make to reduce my ecological footprint and promote conservation would be first to reduce my transportation impacts.  Using a smaller vehicle, carpooling more, and use alternative transportation means is a few solutions.  Using energy efficient appliances, living in homes with better insulation, and if possible buying a tank-less water heater would cut power usage significantly.  Unplugging electronics and using power bars will cut wasted electricity usage.  Modifying my eating habits will reduce my ecological footprint as well.  Purchasing local foods and organic when possible or when in season reduces impacts.   If possible, planting a garden would be the best food source.  Consuming less meat would contribute to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.  In housing, the use of drought tolerant plants will cut water usage and the energy associated with it.   Taking less frequent and shorter showers will also achieve the same goal.  Constantly repairing leaks and avoiding activities that demand high water usage makes a big difference.  This includes rarely washing the vehicle, using commercial car-washes, and not power-washing.  Adopting a combination of these behavioral changes will over time create a significant difference so reducing my ecological footprint now, and encouraging others to adopt a similar lifestyle, will provide a long lasting environmental benefit. 

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