Environment Footprint... Results, and a few tips

The Environmental Footprint Bonus point opportunity ended on Monday, and, as promised, here are the results, as well as some ways for you to lessen your impact on the earth.

With a total of 45 users participating, the average total footprint was 15.7 acres. That's the equivalent of 3.5 earths to sustain a population in which each person uses this much land. The footprint for mobility was the smallest, with about an acre of use towards travel. Land usage for food, shelter, and goods were about the same at nearly 5 acres each.

Now, obviously we cannot survive if this continues, plain and simple. So, what can you do to reduce your impact?

You can start by using less electricity. In most places, electricity is still made by burning coal, which produces a large amount of air pollution. This costs fuel to transport the coal (via train, usually, and then by semi) as well, making its impact larger. Some places have switched partially or entirely to wind, solar, or hydroelectric power in an effort to reduce pollution. Nonetheless, reducing the amount of electricity you do use will overall lessen the impact on the environment.

How do you do this? Well, first, you can weather proof your house. Check for drafts around power outlets, and invest in some caulk to seal them up. Checking for drafts around your windows can often be fixed in the same way. Putting up curtains or blinds and keeping them closed can also keep some of the heat, or cool, in your house throughout the year. Putting weather stripping on your door can keep some of that bad weather out as well. That will reduce your energy costs significantly, especially in larger homes.

You can also reduce energy by unplugging appliances such as your television, your VCR, your microwave, your cell phone charger, etc. These appliances use up energy even when they are not turned on, so you can save enormous amounts of energy throughout the year by simply unplugging them (or a surge protector) when you go to bed at night, and especially when you are on vacation.

Switching your regular light bulbs for compact fluorescent light bulbs can save you both energy and money. They last up to 10 times longer as regular light bulbs (and only cost about twice as much), plus they use 75% less energy, saving you even more money on that electric bill.

You can reduce the effect on the environment by buying produce from local farmers and freezing it for the winter months (just make sure to wrap it in both plastic and foil to prevent freezer burn). Make things in bulk, rather than making a little bit at a time. Consider biking to the grocery store for that box of cereal instead of hopping in your car to grab it.

And, of course, recycling is amazing. Recycling aluminum can spare 95% of the energy we'd need to create it from scratch. Opt for paper sacks at the grocery store when possible (as plastic takes a whole lot longer to degrade than the paper equivalent).

Just remember... little steps can go a long way.