The way we use the earth’s resources hasThe way we use the earth’s resources has contributed to the social, cultural, contributed to the social, cultural, economic, economic, and environmental problems of the world and environmental problems of the world today.today.

..However, our everyday However, our everyday decisions can bedecisions can bea big part of the solutiona big part of the solution if we adopt more if we adopt more environmentally environmentally sustainable lifestyles.sustainable lifestyles.

What do we mean byWhat do we mean by sustainable livingsustainable living??

Living sustainably means living in a way thatLiving sustainably means living in a way thatminimizes our negative impactminimizes our negative impacton the planet and its resources on the planet and its resources to ensure equitable availability to ensure equitable availability

of resources for allof resources for allaround the world.around the world.

Sustainable living involves exercising more care

in our use of the earth’s finite resources.

We humans have a We humans have a huge impact on the huge impact on the

environmentenvironmentby the choices we by the choices we make in our daily make in our daily

living.living.

The food we eatThe food we eat the products we use, the products we use, the way we dispose of them the way we dispose of them our buying habits … our buying habits … All have real impact on the All have real impact on the health of our planethealth of our planet and its people. and its people.

involves meeting our needs without depletinginvolves meeting our needs without depletingthe environmental, economic, and social resourcesthe environmental, economic, and social resources

that future generations will need.that future generations will need.

We have the choice to make the worldWe have the choice to make the worldmore or less sustainable by the way more or less sustainable by the way we live.we live.

A sustainable lifestyle should not leaveA sustainable lifestyle should not leavea big negative impact a big negative impact or “footprint” behind.or “footprint” behind.

Ecological Footprint QuizEcological Footprint Quizwww.myfootprint.org

Always (1) Usually (2) Sometimes (3) Occasionally (4) Never (5)

1. Do you take a shower or use a pail instead of soaking yourself in a bathtub?

2. Do you turn off the water while brushing your teeth?

3. Do you save rain water for gardening or other purposes?

4. Do you recycle your newspapers and magazines?

5. Do you recycle your aluminum and/or steel cans?

6. Do you compost your kitchen and/or yard waste?

7. Do you walk, ride your bicycle, take public transportation or a car pool to school and/or to activities?

8. Do walk, ride your bicycle, take public transportation or a car pool to school and/or to activities?

9. Do you walk, ride your bicycle, take public transportation or in a car pool to school and/or activities

10. Do you use compact fluorescent light bulbs at home?

11. Do you use electric fans to cool your homes?

12. Do you and/or family turn off lights, computers, and TVs when you are not using them?

13. Do you take food for meals in re-usable containers instead of throw-aways?

14. Do you grow fresh vegetables in a garden?

15. Do you eat fresh meat, vegetables, and fruits instead of “microwave-ready” meals?

16. Do you purchase items made of recycled materials or with recycled packaging?

17. Do you buy only what you really need?

18. Do you give unwanted clothes and toys to someone who needs them?

Add your scores per section (there are six sections)

Add the six sub-totals for your total score.

Look at your score and see how big an eco-footprint you have:

18-31 You are a model of how we should all live. Keep up the good work!

32-55 You are quickly on the road to eco-friendly living.

56-69 You are average like most people in the world.

70-80 Your consumption habits are wasteful. There are surely changes you can make. Start small and don’t give up.

81-90 If everyone lived this way, we would need at least FIVE (5) Earths to provide the necessary resources

QuestionsQuestions

1.1. How big is your ecological footprint?How big is your ecological footprint?2.2. How did you feel about the result of the quiz?How did you feel about the result of the quiz?3.3. What does your footprint say about your What does your footprint say about your

lifestyle?lifestyle?4.4. In what areas (food, energy consumption, In what areas (food, energy consumption,

buying habit) of your life are you living in a buying habit) of your life are you living in a non-sustainable way?non-sustainable way?

5.5. In a scale of 1 to 5, how willing are you to In a scale of 1 to 5, how willing are you to change your current lifestyle?change your current lifestyle?

6.6. Which areas do you find most difficult to Which areas do you find most difficult to change? Why?change? Why?

An ecological footprint

Is an indicator of environmental sustainability, a way to connect our behaviors with the impacts they have on our environment

takes into account such things as energy use, water use, food sources, transportation, etc

calculates how much “nature” is consumed from your everyday life choices and if planet can sustain this lifestyle

If everyone in the world were to live the way most peopleIn the world live, it wouldtake 5 planet earths tosupport human life.

Since we only have one home, ourEarth, it is important to learn to“step lightly” on the earth.

Review your eco-footprint results.Review your eco-footprint results.

What 5 sustainable lifestyle practices can youWhat 5 sustainable lifestyle practices can you adopt in the following areas to reduce youradopt in the following areas to reduce your eco-footprint on earth:eco-footprint on earth:

FoodFood EnergyEnergy WaterWater Buying habitsBuying habits GarbageGarbage

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What are some ways your school What are some ways your school can minimize its impact oncan minimize its impact on the environment?the environment?How can you, as a student, contribute toHow can you, as a student, contribute tothis?this?

We all tread on the world, pressing down on it by the way we live. Some of us tread on the world heavily and leave a large footprint.

Let us all step lightly on the earthIf we really care for the next generation.

Thank You!Thank You!