That's a big footprint

Posted by Magda
I just finished calculating my environmental footprint (hint: it's huge!). I feel no better that Guelph's Community Energy Plan shows the average Guelphite with a footprint twice the Canadian average -- 16 tonnes a year, versus the national average of 8.3 (as reported on the UG's footprint calculator).

Of course, there are different ways to calculate the size of a footprint, and it's possible the energy plan and the calculator use different measures. Either way, I was rather surprised after I actually calculated my own impact.

Good luck with the city as it works on implementing the energy plan, which is intended to cut emissions to 7 tonnes per Guelphite per year.

Read more about calculating your footprint in the Mercury tomorrow.

Comments

[Edward Pickersgill]

Ah Magda you could learn to manipulate those figures quite simply using the Harper Bush modelling anti-Kyoto technique. Donate $10 to a homeless person in exchange for a some carbon credits. A couple of hundred buck a year and you'll have a zero based carbon footprint and a bounce in your step.

[Regg Struyk]

Curious to know why your footprint is so big?

There are tons of little things that if we are aware of them can make such a difference.
- walking more
- using cloth bags
- turning off the lights
- turning down the heat
- etc. etc. etc.

[Edward Pickersgill]

I did the calculator thing and was as accurate as I could be... does a result of one demonstrate that I live a boring life?

[Magda]

Thanks for the suggestions, Regg. The real issue -- I guess it shouldn't be surprised, though I am surprised about just how big the effect is -- is flying. It obliterates all other attempts I make to live green. It's an interesting one, too, because you can always use cloth bags instead of plastic, or ride the bus instead of driving, but there isn't as obvious a substitution for flying.

[Magda]

One?! Wow Ed. I'm impressed.

[Edward Pickersgill]

No driving, no out of town trips on bus nor train nor plane probably had a major impact. Their site asks for recommendations. I was going to recommend they add items such as "smoking." That'd probably bump me up a bit.