Earth Overshoot Day

[Catherine]

You are definitely one of the people who does not over use the earth. The calculations are based on people living in cities. They are very generalized. I score high because I travel so much in a day, but I take public transit. I go to people's homes so of course I travel. I switched to LED lights and I do not use my dryer. I try to buy local, but I live in Canada, we have to import vegetables in the winter. We could grow them using massive greenhouses, but they would have to be heated and they would need lighting. I think that would use more resources than shipping veggies to us.

I think we both live very conscious lives and use the resources well. I use second hand stuff and when I finish with something I pass it on to someone who can use it. I don't buy food with a lot of unnecessary packaging. I buy "imperfect" vegetables. It is a new movement. They sell the imperfect veggies in larger bags at a better price.  Four peppers cost $4.00 or 8 imperfect peppers cost $5.00. Not all vegetables are available this way, but many are. They are just as good.

I use my computer as my TV so I have one less electronic device. I do use a cell phone, but I don't run for the latest upgrades. I think I can get a few more years out of my current phone. When I do get a new phone, I will recycle the old one. I can keep my computer going a few more years and when it goes I will recycle it. I eat very little meat and I do not over eat or waste food.

I think I can reduce my plastic use if I am very careful. Our water is metered so I am very careful, but I bet I can save water if I try.
Like you there are no big changes I can make because I have already made a lot of changes for the better.

I think we are caught up in the overshoot because we live in countries that over use resources. Maybe the best thing we can do is lead by example and encourage other people to do better.


This site calculates carbon footprint and I come out okay. Maybe you would get a better read from this.


https://onetreeplanted.typeform.com/to/D24GZj

We can still find some ways to do better. I know keeping electronics going a little longer will help.  I will have to think about it and find some other small ways to help.