This is a big eye opener for me because I honestly thought it would be a lot lower. I guess you don't realize how much of what you do effects the earth. For example, shopping at supermarkets like Publix, Target, and Walmart contribute to our carbon footprint. It would be better if I shopped at local farm markets, or grew my own vegetables (something my mom does). Not to mention, shopping at local markets or growing my own vegetables would help me not contribute to the slave labor that takes place in many agricultural fields including Immokalee. Simple things such as unplugging appliances when they aren't in use can make a big difference as well. Recycling is also a very important part of my carbon footprint because although I do recycle when I am at my parents house I do not always do it at school or when I am out and about. I was a bit surprised that my housing was over the average because I do not live in an elaborately huge house, it is only one story and my dad even has a solar panel on the roof. I guess compared to the many below substandard houses in the world, my house would be considered huge to some.
I believe it all comes down to convenience. We want to do whatever is convenient for us, it is not always convenient to take the extra steps to unplug an appliance when we are in a hurry, or to take the extra steps to recycle something, or to drive a little further or spend a little more on vegetables that are locally grown. That is the sad thing about the culture we live in, we are so used to having things at our fingertips that taking those extra steps seem like a big deal, when in reality not taking them will be a much bigger deal. I hope that with taking this quiz and seeing how much I really do contribute to the environmental crisis I can change my ways and actually make a difference.
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