WWF Footprint Calculator

 

“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”
-George Bernard Shaw

 

As a landscape architect, we need to understand our contribution to the planet and the impact we have on the world, both positive and negative. To work this out I used the WWF Footprint Calculator. This showed that my overall carbon footprint is 73% and when it is compared to a linear average of the UK, I am below the UK average.

When looking deeper into my results I could see the breakdown of my percentage, with travel being 7%, home being 33%, food being 23% and “stuff” being 37%. The “stuff” section included questions about how recently I had brought a new electronic device, how much I spent on clothes in a month, how much I spent on tv and phone contracts etc. Within the breakdown of each section, there were tips as to how I could improve my carbon footprint further whilst also continuing with everyday life.

Travel

Tip 1 – Cycling

The first tip was to cycle as oppose to using the car, as cycling is the most eco-friendly mode of transport. It creates no emission and uses no resources as well as keeping your body fit and healthy!

Tip 2 – Public Transport

The second tip was to use public transport, as this is a great alternative to driving and reduces your carbon footprint dramatically. By using the train or bus it means there are fewer cars on the road, resulting in less carbon dioxide being produced.

Tip 3 – Drive Smarter

The final travel tip was to drive smarter. This means doing things such as removing any excess weight from the car as it helps improve the fuel efficiency or having the correct air pressure in the tyres as this results in better petrol mileage, cheaper maintenance costs and makes a smaller environmental impact.

 

Home

Tip 1 – Switch Energy Providers

The first tip to help reduce my carbon footprint within the home is to switch energy providers. Changing your energy provider is an excellent way to influence your environmental impact on a national scale. Renewable energy companies have been driving changes in the energy market and are now providing cheap and sustainable energy. By choosing one of these providers, you can limit your footprint and support our shared future.

Tip 2 – Make the Switch

The second tip was to switch to energy-efficient bulbs which can last up to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs, whilst also using 80% less power to provide the same amount of light. They are a better option in terms of product costs, energy costs and will limit the amount of time changing bulbs.

Tip 3 – Embrace New Technology

The final tip for my home was to embrace new technology. Your home can now be controlled by the touch of a button or with your smartphone. This is a great way to monitor the energy usage within your home and adopt a more environmentally friendly way of living.

 

Food

Tip 1 – East “In Season”

The first tip for the food section was to buy seasonally produced food. Everything we buy has a footprint, so choosing products that have been sustainably sourced supports the local agricultural economy and helps the environment by cutting down packaging, transport and high-intensity farming processes which are needed for out of season foods.

Tip 2 – East Less Meat and Dairy

The second tip to reduce my carbon footprint within food products is to eat less meat and dairy. One of the most important changes we can make to the environment is changing our diet. The production of meat and dairy products is one of the major causes of greenhouse gas emissions, so by cutting these products out of our diet we become more carbon friendly.

Tip 3 – Add Some Variety

The final tip for food is to add some variety within our meals. The way a food product is farmed is an important part of how sustainable that type of food is. Constant farming of the same crop types will drain nutrients from the soil. Farming this crop all year long will give no time for the soil to recover. Therefore by having a colourful plate, we will ensure a more nutritious and natural meal that is in sync with the ecosystem.

 

Stuff

Tip 1 – Buy One Expensive Thing

We now live in a culture of disposable fashion which is taking a toll on our surrounding environment. The first tip was to buy one well-made expensive item of clothing rather than constantly replacing clothing items with cheaper alternatives. This will stop the waste of resources in manufacturing, whilst also cutting down the transport costs and carbon costs of the supply chain as well. Less clothing items being transported means fewer emissions and trucks on the road.

Tip 2 – Buy Second Hand

The second tip was to buy second-hand clothing items, this is an excellent way to save money and change the economy for the better as well as shopping sustainably. Charity and second-hand shops have excellent product control procedures which means the clothes within them is good quality, allowing you to buy the clothes you want for a fraction of the cost!