How does Your Footprint Measure Up?

Mary Campbell, Urban Sustainability Agent

You know the size of your footprint, right? Or maybe not, if we are talking about the imprint that you leave on the planet from the resources you use and the waste you generate. But what if you are doing the right things to reduce your environmental footprint like recycling, energy conservation and buying local? How much does that make a difference?

Americans on average have the largest footprint in the world due to our high level of consumption. We consume 24% of the world’s energy with only 5% of the population. So is that a problem? If everyone starts to live like we do it is. With developing countries like China and India aspiring to similar lifestyles – multiplied by the population (2.6 billion) – we could have a major overshoot of our planet’s resources. If everyone lived the lifestyle of the average American we would need 5 planets.

There are methods to calculate your ecological or environmental footprint. Calculators are available on-line to help you determine how many planets it would take if everyone lived the same lifestyle as you. The ecological footprint has emerged as the world’s premier measure of humanity’s demand on nature. It measures how much land and water area a human population requires to produce the resources it consumes and to absorb its wastes, using prevailing technology. Conceived in 1990 by Mathis Wackernagel and William Rees at the University of British Columbia, the ecological footprint is now in wide use by scientists, businesses, governments, and individuals working to monitor ecological resource use and advance sustainable development.

Check out one of these calculators:
Global Footprint Network www.footprintnetwork.org
Redefining Progress www.myfootprint.org

Join me for Solutions in 30 Webinar on Wednesday, March 31 at 12:15 pm to learn more about Calculating Your Environmental Footprint

Green Travel Made Easy

James Stevenson, Pinellas County Extension Specialist, Urban Sustainability

Have you had enough yet? Ready to get out of Dodge? If you are “Leaving on a Jet Plane….” this summer, it is possible to “offset” the carbon cost of your journey with the help of some of the largest travel companies.

Ofsetting refers to projects that compensate for emissions by providing for “sinks” that will absorb the equivalent amount of carbon. Many of these projects involve funding re-forestation projects, both domestically and abroad, with the majority in developing countries.

Check out Expedia’s “traveler’s guide to going green” Travelocity has partnered-up with TerraPass who offer bundles that fund clean energy production, methane mitigation strategies for farmers and landfill gas capture. These offsets are only a few dollars and can be added to the price of your ticket with one quick click.

Orbitz has engaged Carbonfund.org and offers links and information at their microsite, eco.orbitz.com. From there, you can purchase offsets for both domestic and international flights (a flat-fee for each.) According to their website, Carbonfund.org makes it easy and affordable for everyone to offset their carbon footprint with high-quality, 3^rd party verified renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects.”

Travelocity offers access to GoZero carbon emission offsets through their “travel for good” program. This program not only helps travelers offset carbon emissions, but also offers access to socially-responsible travel options and options that support our domestic economy. Don’t forget, being green is not JUST about the environment!

We’d love to hear about your green travel adventures this summer. Either use the “comment” option below or send us an email to sustainability@pinellascounty.org and we’ll post a selection in the coming months. Enjoy your green trip!

Learn How a Tree Planted in Largo Might Help Reduce Super Bowl Impact on Local Environment

Climate Change Expert Talks about Super Bowl and Other Programs Designed to Lessen Impact on Local Community through Carbon Exchange

What do Super Bowl XLIII in Hillsborough County and trees recently planted in Pinellas County have in common? The two share a lot, when the subject is greenhouse gas reduction. The National Football League (NFL) is sponsoring the planting of trees in places like Egmont Key, Plant City, Safety Harbor and Largo to offset increased greenhouse gas created by Super Bowl-related activities. The NFL calls it the Urban and Community Forestry Initiative. Experts on climate change such as Mark van Soestbergen call it calculating carbon footprints.

Van Soestbergen, founder of the International Carbon Bank & Exchange, will give three free presentations about how national sports teams, universities and conference sponsors are partnering with governments and businesses to offer carbon neutral events. You can learn how these groups and individuals are using carbon offsets and trading to positively impact climate change. You can also get a better understanding of common discussion terms like carbon offsets and carbon trading.

The Carbon Neutral: Teaming Up to Make a Difference for Our Climate programs are planned at the following locations and times:

Friday, Jan. 30, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, located at 1800 Weedon Drive N.E. in St. Petersburg. To learn more and to register, call (727) 453-6500.

Saturday, Jan. 31, from 11 a.m. to noon at Pinellas County Extension located at 12520 Ulmerton Road in Largo. No registration is required. For more information, call (727) 582-2456.

Saturday, Jan. 31, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Brooker Creek Preserve Education Center located at 3940 Keystone Road in Tarpon Springs. To learn more and to register, call (727) 453-6800.

Part of the program focuses on what citizens can do to help reduce their own carbon footprint on the world. “The individual is truly the secret agent in this whole process,” said van Soestbergen. At the programs, tips will be shared about day-to-day actions everyone can take concerning travel, heating/cooling usage, electricity consumption, domestic waste and recycling. “Without taking personal ownership, nothing happens,” he added.

Get expert information about how to live a more sustainable lifestyle at these information-packed programs just in time for Super Bowl kick off Sunday, Feb. 1.