COMMUNITY

EXHIBIT 01: MY CARBON FOOTPRINT

MY FOOTPRINT

↑ MY CARBON FOOTPRINT

Carbon Footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted due to the consumption of fossil fuels by a particular person, group, etc. (Oxford Dictionary)

SUMMARY

My annual carbon footprint is below the national average of 18,435 lbs/year at 16,240 lbs/year.

This did not surprise me, because I use Blue Bikes for transportation, or I walk. I live in an apartment, so most things are within walking distance.

My heating and electric bills have been no more than $80 on average for a two-bed bedroom in the Historic North End.

In the future, I do plan on being more aware of the resources I do use. For example, I live in an older building with significant heat loss at the window openings.

By covering them in a energy-retaining film in winters, and being aware of how long I leave windows open in summers with the AC on, hopefully I can reduce my footprint.

EXHIBIT 01 SOURCE

United States Environmental Protection Agency Carbon Footprint Calculator: https://www3.epa.gov/carbon-footprintcalculator/

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT

Ecological footprint is the impact of a person or community on the environment, expressed as the amount of land required to sustain their use of natural resources. (Oxford Dictionary)

SUMMARY

The results of this pole did surprise me, as I thought I was already fairly conscious of my footprint. While my score is not terrible, there is still room for improvement.

I buy my food from Misfits Markets, which salvages “bad” organic produce from places like Whole Foods that find the product too small, large, or dis-formed for their liking. I am not a vegetarian, though. I have Energy Star Appliances and LED lights in my apartment, most of which are motion sensor. It is an older building I live in, so there may be some discrepancies.

I have been doing my laundry with cold water and using dehydrated detergent sheets, which are more environmentally friendly than normal detergents and their bulky plastic containers.

I do aspire to live a smaller more minimalist life after graduating, so hopefully this reduced my footprint.

EXHIBIT 02 SOURCE

Global Footprint Network Ecological Footprint Calculator: https://www. footprintcalculator.org/home/en