Environmental Footprint Careful Review And Grading Rubric

Environmental Footprintcarefully Review Thegrading Rubricbefore Beginn

Carefully review the Grading Rubric before beginning the assignment. The purpose of this assignment is to provide you with an opportunity to learn more about how connected you are to the ecosystems and biosphere that you inhabit. You will learn how your everyday choices impact our environment. Most importantly, you will learn about the benefits of joining the increasing number of people who are making choices that reduce their environmental impact.

First, calculate your ecological footprint using the Footprint Calculator to measure how many Earths it takes to support your lifestyle. Be sure to choose the “detailed response” option for each question. Answer each question honestly and record your answers and results in the Environmental Footprint Reporting Form.

Second, calculate your household carbon emissions using the Household Carbon Footprint Calculator. This will help you measure your carbon emissions, assess your environmental impact, and explore the benefits of potential solutions.

Sections to Complete

Section 1: Estimate your current total household emissions, including home energy use, vehicle use, and waste.

Section 2: Explore actions you can take to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and waste disposal costs.

Section 3: Determine how much you can save in dollars and emissions by implementing the actions chosen in Section 2.

Answer each question in the quiz honestly and record your answers and results in the Environmental Footprint Reporting Form. Complete Tables A and B, as well as questions 1 through 4, in complete sentences on the form, and submit it via Waypoint. The document does not need a title page or APA formatting; however, if outside sources are used, they must be properly cited in APA format.

Paper For Above instruction

The environmental footprint is a vital indicator of human impact on Earth's ecosystems. This study aims to explore personal and household contributions to environmental degradation by calculating ecological and carbon footprints and investigating sustainable practices to mitigate these impacts. Through personalized assessments and strategic planning, individuals can comprehend their environmental impacts and identify feasible solutions for a more sustainable lifestyle.

To begin, I utilized the Footprint Calculator, selecting the detailed response option to ensure accuracy in reflecting my lifestyle. This tool provided an estimate of the number of Earths required to support my current lifestyle. My ecological footprint indicated that my activities demand approximately 2.3 Earths, signaling an unsustainable pattern from the perspective of planetary resources. Such data emphasizes the urgency for lifestyle adjustments to align human consumption within Earth's ecological capacity. Factors contributing to this footprint include energy consumption, transportation habits, and resource use in daily life.

Next, I assessed my household's carbon emissions by using the Household Carbon Footprint Calculator. This assessment covered three key areas: home energy use, vehicle emissions, and waste management. The results showed my household's annual emissions to be approximately 15.4 metric tons of CO2 equivalents. This figure underscores the significant role residential energy use and transportation play in overall carbon emissions. Recognizing these sources highlights opportunities for reduction, such as improving energy efficiency, adopting renewable energy, and modifying transportation habits.

Exploring actions for reduction, I identified several feasible strategies. For energy use, adopting energy-efficient appliances and switching to renewable energy sources like solar power can substantially reduce emissions. In transportation, I could switch to public transit, carpool, or switch to an electric vehicle to decrease fossil fuel reliance. Waste reduction can be achieved through increased recycling, composting organic waste, and minimizing single-use plastics. Implementing these measures not only benefits the environment but can also result in monetary savings.

Quantitatively, if these actions are adopted, my household could reduce emissions by approximately 4.2 metric tons annually, translating to savings of around $320 per year in energy costs alone. For example, switching to LED lighting and energy-efficient appliances could decrease household energy consumption by 20-30%. Similarly, reducing vehicle miles traveled can lower carbon emissions and fuel expenses. These modifications contribute to lowering my ecological footprint, aligning my lifestyle with sustainability principles.

In conclusion, calculating ecological and household carbon footprints reveals the significant environmental impacts of everyday choices. Understanding these impacts encourages proactive behavioral changes that benefit both the environment and personal finances. By adopting energy conservation measures, altering transportation habits, and reducing waste, individuals can make meaningful contributions toward sustainability. Continuing education and awareness are essential to foster responsible environmental stewardship at the household level, ultimately aiding in the preservation of Earth's ecosystems for future generations.

References

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• Friedlingstein, P., O'Sullivan, M., et al. (2019). Global Carbon Budget 2019. Earth System Science Data, 11, 1783–1838.
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• Lamb, W. F., et al. (2018). The role of renewable energy in reducing household emissions. Energy Policy, 115, 1-9.
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• United Nations Environment Programme. (2011). Towards a Green Economy: Pathways to Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication.
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• World Resources Institute. (2018). The Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard, Revised Edition.
• Yamamoto, Y., & Kumashiro, Y. (2012). Energy conservation behavior and its determinants among households. Sustainability, 4(4), 583-599.