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Ecological Footprint

MANE

“Data Project 2”

INSTITUTION

Date 11/17/2020

ProF,

Running head: ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT 2

Ecological Footprints

Human activities draw an impact on the environment. Increased pollution in the environment is a result of human irresponsible actions towards the environment. Considering the importance of environmental sustainability and better citizenships a research study is conducted. In this research, survey questions are used to obtain my actual responses on environmentally friendly behaviors.0 Following survey outcomes overall environmental footprints are determined (Montabon, Sroufe, & Narasimhan, 2007). Survey questions were used to determine my eating habits, pollution control contribution, and the tendency of using environmentally friendly products. According to the survey results (presented in Appendix), on average 14 meals (per day 2 meals * 7 days a week = 14 meals) of each week are based on meat products including chicken and fish. However, the average consumption of plastic water bottles per week is 35. Results projected by the pie chart show that the major contribution of ecological footprints is caused by excessive use of bottled water. Apart from these, some bad habits have also contributed to increasing ecological footprints. For instance, I do not buy certified organic grocery items because of personal preferences. Moreover, not carrying homemade lunch at workplace/schools have also contributed to the increase of negative ecological footprints. See the following table and pie chart:

Actions	Average Per Week
Meat Meals	14
Plastic Bags	2
Bottled Water	35
Homemade Lunches	0
Certified Organic Groceries	0

Based on the above presented activities the following ecological footprint scores are calculated. The total ecological footprint is 12.2 global hectares or 31.25 acres. According to the presented below table and bar chart, mobility has caused 3.4gha ecological footprint from 12.2. While shelter and food are almost equal to 3.3 and 3.2, respectively. Although, goods and services are having lower gha values in ecological footprints. See projected visualization and table:

Category	gha
Food	3.2
Shelter	3.3
Mobility	3.4
Goods	0.8
Services	1.5

Part: 2 Solution

According to the survey results, my ecological footprints need to be reevaluated and controlled properly. Currently, analysis shows that we would need to have at least 7.2 Earth if everyone starts living like me. If everyone follows my patterns, then earth will soon be filled with plastic bottles and grocery bags which will create challenges for the living creatures on this earth. According to recent research studies, plastic is a major reason for increased land and water pollution. The only United States create 17% of plastic waste of this earth by water bottles and plastic bottles of soft drinks. However, higher consumption of plastic in other products also contributes to filling our land with pollution. The following are some strategies or recommended solutions for controlling such ecological issues:

Solution: First of all, durable plastic products should be replaced with recyclable products. Durable plastic products stay longer in the environment and cause to increase land or water pollution. However, recyclable plastic bags and bottles can be recycled easily at a lower cost. Additionally, these products can survive shorter therefore removal is easy. Thus, the first solution is to replace plastic grocery bags and water bottles with recyclable material products. For instance, replacing plastic straws with bamboo straws or steel straws (Theguardian.com, 2020).

Solution: Second recommended solution is to change eating habits. Taking homemade lunch is a better option than buying eating junk food at workplaces and schools. Homemade lunch not only provides a healthy meal but also reduces unhealthy food consumption. Changing this eating pattern can discourage the excessive use of junk food which mainly contribute to pollution by packaging (Qasim, et al., 2020).

Solution: The third recommended solution is to support online awareness programs and training sessions at educational institutes for the promotion of eco-friendly products. Spreading awareness about ecological footprints can support reducing such issues in our environment.

References Montabon, F., Sroufe, R., & Narasimhan, R. (2007). An examination of corporate reporting, environmental management practices and firm performance. Journal of Operations Management, 25(5), 998-1014. Qasim, U., Osman, A. I., Al-Muhtaseb, A. H., Farrell, C., Al-Abri, M., & Ali, M. (2020). Renewable cellulosic nanocomposites for food packaging to avoid fossil fuel plastic pollution: a review. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 1-29. Theguardian.com. (2020). US and UK citizens are the world's biggest sources of plastic waste – study. Retrieved from www.theguardian.com: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/30/us-and-uk-citizens-are-worlds-biggest-sources-of-plastic-waste-study

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT 2

Appendix

Per Week

Meat Meals Plastic Bags Bottled Water Homemade Lunches Certified Organic Groceries 14 2 35 0 0

Ecological Footprints

Food Shelter Mobility Goods Services 3.2 3.3 3.4 0.8 1.5