Thursday, May 31, 2012

Final Eco Footrping Blog - improved (a little)

I improved over the course of this class.  I went from consumeing 5.7 planets to 4.1.  Hooray for me!


New EF score -  4.1 planets

Old EF Score - 5.7 planets

Were you able to achieve the EF reduction goals you set for yourself?
I was able to reduce my EF reduction by 1.6 planets, I guess that’s pretty good.  But I’m not sure if it had much to with what I was doing as it did that I learned that the majority of the food I eat is much more local that I originally thought.
I didn’t really follow through with any of original EF reduction plans other than the recycling one.  I never took the bus, and I had difficulty reducing my car trips to Seattle because that is where I work. I never moved my running routine from the treadmill to the outdoors. This wasn’t entirely my fault, I put all the blame on the unusually crappy spring weather we’ve been having.  However, all the recycling I’ve been doing has been pretty easy. Before I started all this, I recycled only when convenient.  Now I do it as much as I can. Hooray for me!
Not really reflected in my new EF score are all the little things that I have been doing over the course of the quarter. I’ve been using slightly less energy by making sure that the appliances and electrical devices are left unplugged when not in use. I no longer charge my telephone overnight because it only takes a couple hours to recharge it to full capacity.  Instead I charge it when I get up, that way the phone charger spends less time plugged into the wall not doing anything. It was difficult to gauge an actual result from my power bill because I live with roommates and we split the power bill four ways.  Also, I don’t pay the electric bill where my recording studio is located, so once again I have no reference point for my power usage.  I do know that I’ve been using less power, and that’s a fact, Jack.
Will you be able to continue these practices?

Yes, I can continue my new love of recycling.  It is really easy to do, not sure why I took me so long to get on this recycling bandwagon. I will also very easily be able to continue my conscious effort to use less energy.  The electronic devices are already unplugged, there is no reason to plug them back in unless I’m gonna use them for something. I will be able to continue these activities because they really didn’t take much effort on my part. If I keep it up I will make a dramatic impact on reducing my ecological footprint.  Yes, I could have done more. You can always do more but it is important to realize that any action that results in a reduced ecological footprint, regardless of how small that change might be, is beneficial for the planet. No change is too small.

I’ve certainly am more conscious of the things I purchase, and how I dispose of things. For instance I try not to use paper towels, if there is an alternative way to dry my hands I will try use it, even if it may take a few extra seconds. I always make sure I turn off lights when I’m not in the room.  I even go so far as to turn off my friends lights when I’m a guest in their homes.
Unlike most of the marketing classes I’ve taken at Western, I really enjoyed this class.  I would highly recommend taking it to anyone.


2 comments:

  1. Mike -- congratulations on decreasing your EF, every little bit helps! However, I did ask you to post your 1st EF for comparison purposes plus write a reflective essay -- see App. 2 of the syllabus. 25/50

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    Replies
    1. Wendy, i don't understand why i got such a low score.

      I did post my new EF and old EF score right at the top of the blog post.

      New EF score - 4.1 planets

      Old EF Score - 5.7 planets

      and i did write s short reflective essay on my EF reduction experience, which is also included in the blog post. I answered all the questions listed in Appendix 2:

      (3) a reflection on your efforts. Were you able to achieve the EF reduction
      goals you set for yourself? Will you be able to continue these practices? Why or why not?

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