Looking At the Websites

Why is the world in ecological overdraft?
Ecological overdraft is the point at which human consumption exceeds the ability of the earth to sustain it in any year, the New Economics Foundation think-tank said. We are in ecological overdraft because of how we use up our resources. We continue to use more than is needed to satisfy our selfish needs and furthermore we waste much of what we have. For example “…why on earth, say, would the UK export 20 tonnes of mineral water to Australia and then re-import 21 tonnes," said NEF director Andrew Simms.” We use resources for trade to occur like oil, machinery, and cartons. All these resources are wasted when one follows the example above.

What do you think ‘Carbon Footprint’ means?
I think that carbon footprint means the way our activities affect the environment. Each individual uses up a part of Earth’s resources to sustain themselves and each person uses up more or less than another. For example my carbon footprint would most likely be greater than the carbon footprint of a person living on the streets. I take showers everyday, I ride in cars, I use up paper, I use the stove, the microwave, the TV, computer and more, all of which require energy and consume some part of the Earth in the process. Through my life I’ll waste much of the Earth’s resources and ultimately leave a ‘carbon footprint.’

Which of the articles interested you most? Why?
I was most interested by the article, Climate Change and Energy. It captured my attention because in the very first paragraph it talks about not only how our maltreatment of the environment affects the world but also how it affects humanity. “But it is the poorest people in the world - those who have done least to cause it - who are already suffering from the effects of global warming.” It tells us straight off about how although it is generally the better off people (including us) who contribute more to the global warming but the poor suffer the consequences. It continues on the suffering of the poor when you click the article, Breaking Our Carbon Chains. It says that ‘heat waves, rises in sea level, flooding, drought and the spread of unfamiliar diseases’ are affecting the poorest already. This really builds up the guilt for what I’ve helped to do. I am part of the group of people which consume and leave the poor behind to suffer the problems we caused. Not only does the article stir up feelings of guilt it also informs me as t o what is happening in the world to prevent or stall climate change. It describes the organization, NEF, helps to save our environment which helps people look on the positive side of things.

Websites:
http://www.footprintnetwork.org/de/index.php/GFN/press/september_25_is_earth_overshoot_day/
Explains what Ecological Overdraft day is. It describes it really well and exactly how it works and why its there. It also says how the day is calculated and how we can take action to make the day later.
http://www.carbonfootprint.com/
Explains what a carbon footprint is and how to calculate your own. It also talks about climate change and how it’s affecting the planet, it then tells you what will happen if we do nothing and what we can do. It then gives you ways to reduce your carbon footprint