Ecological Footprint

Biology 1204 – Carbon Footprint Activity

Name:

Go to the website listed below, perform the following activities, and answer the following questions.

http://www.nature.org/greenliving/carboncalculator/?src=CPC.AWG.CE2.AG41.CC47.CL2.MT4.KW1921&gclid=CP3Y4cCvrrMCFS-RPAodKHQA0Q

Part 1: Your CarbonFootprint
•    Use the Free Carbon Footprint Calculator to estimate your current ecological footprint.  Be sure the select the “For Me Only” option.
•    Record your information below.
o    Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions = 21
o    Your Behavior Breakdown:
?    Home Energy = 9.1
?    Driving & Flying = 7.3
?    Recycling & Waste = 3.4
?    Food & Diet = 0.8
o    U.S. Average per Person = 27
o    World Average per Person = 5.5

Question 1:  How do your greenhouse emissions compare to the average U.S. citizen with regards to total emissions and the breakdown of behavior.  How do your

greenhouse emissions compare to the average global citizen with regards to total emissions?

Question 2:What would your carbon footprint be after a 10% reduction?  After a 50% reduction?  Predict how you would need to change your behaviors in the four

categories of the behavior breakdown to reduce your carbon footprint: by 10%, by 50%, so that it is equal to the average global citizen. (note: you will have to go

back and change your selections to get the amounts to change)

Part 2:  Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
•    Use the Free Carbon Footprint Calculator to determine how you would modify your behaviors to reduce your footprint by 10%.
o    For example, if you said you have installed energy efficient lighting “in some lights,” change your answer to “everywhere possible.”
o    Record the changes you would need to make.
•    Use the Free Carbon Footprint Calculator to determine how you would modify your behaviors to reduce your footprint by 50%.  Record the changes you would need

to make.
•    Use the Free Carbon Footprint Calculator to determine how you would modify your behaviors to reduce your footprint so that it is equal to the average global

citizen.  Record the changes you would need to make.

Question 3:  What does a carbon footprint represent?  How does it compare to an ecological footprint?

Part 3:  Summary and Conclusions

Question 4:  What is the ecological significance of a high carbon footprint?  Would you be willing to make the necessary changes to reduce your carbon footprint by

10%?  By 50%?  To the global average?  Provide reasons why or why not.

Question 5:  Develop an argument that supports your opinion on whether or not there is a need to regulate worldwide carbon levels in light of the major effects on the

Earth’s ecosystems under a changing climate.

Ecological Footprint Assignment
Capstone    Milestones    Benchmark
4    3    2    1
Makes Predictions    Identifies at least 5 contributing factors to an ecological footprint and makes an accurate prediction of their own     Identifies less than 5

contributing factors to an ecological footprint and makes a prediction of their own    Identifies fewer than two contributing factors to an ecological footprint and

makes a prediction of their own    Identifies fewer than two contributing factors to an ecological footprint. Fails to make a prediction.
Collect and analyze data, draws logical conclusions    Is able to complete the reduction activities with 100% accuracy and  able to describe what a carbon footprint

represents    Is able to complete the reduction activities with 75% accuracy and is able to describe what a carbon footprint represents.    Is able to complete the

reduction activities with 75% accuracy but is unable to describe what a carbon footprint represents.    Is not able to complete the reduction activities with 100%

accuracy and does not draw an accurate conclusion in describing what a carbon footprint represents.
Functions as a knowledgeable citizen    Identifies their ecological footprint and makes at least three comparisons to the average global citizen.     Identifies

their ecological footprint and makes at least two comparisons to the average global citizen.     Identifies their ecological footprint but does not make the connection

to the average global citizen
Does not identify their ecological footprint and fails to make the connection to the average global citizen

Has an understanding of current controversy, and present both sides of issues, stating the risks and advantages.      Student can apply (#) ethical

perspectives/concepts to their effect on the environment accurately, and is able to consider full implications of the application.     Student can (#) apply ethical

perspectives/concepts to their effect on the environment accurately, but does not consider the specific implications of the application.     Student can apply (#)

ethical perspectives/concepts to their effect on the environment accurately, but does not consider the specific implications of the application.    Student cannot

apply ethical perspectives/concepts to their effect on the environment, and does not consider the specific implications of the application.
Present a well-reasoned argument that supports solutions     States a conclusion focused solely on the assignment’s findings. The conclusion arises specifically

from and responds specifically to the data.     States a general conclusion that, because it is so general, also applies beyond the scope of the data.    States a

conclusion that is a logical extrapolation from the data.     States an ambiguous, illogical, or unsupportable conclusion from the data.

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