Eye Opener: Ecological Footprint

I took the Earth Day Ecological Footprint Quiz. I was not pleased with my results. I leave an enormous ecological footprint. I am quite shocked because I do some enviornmentally conscience things such as recycling.

I was extremely shocked at the results of my footprint quiz. The results showed if everyone had my lifestyle it would take 4 planet earths to support my energy supply. I find that very shocking because I live a small apartment that I believe does not require a lot of energy to heat or power. I know what actions probably have the largest impact on planet Earth; I hardly use public transportation and because I my hectic schedule I find that I never car pool with anyone because I am always running from point A to point B.

The results also showed it takes 18 acres of land to support my lifestyle. Also, my lifestyle produces almost 19 tons of carbon dioxide! Most of the acres, once again, are used for energy. Another habit of mine that leaves a large footprint is not eating mostly local grown foods. unfortunately most of the foods I eat are not locally grown or fresh. If I could replace the frozen pizzas and chicken nuggets with fresh fruits, vegetable, locally grown foods I could cut down my footprint because gas would not be used to ship my foods across the country. Not to mention my nutrition would be improved!

I believe the two things such as trying harder to use public transportation, riding my bike, or car pooling to places such the grocery store with roommates and also making an effort to eat local foods will make a difference in reducing my ecological footprint.

Read n"Seed 1: Citizen Powred Energy Handbook

1. The title of my book is the Citizen Powered Energy Handbook
2. This book talks about global warming and how it is real. There is a short supply of oil and it covers different types of renewable and sustainable energy sources. Each chapter talks about a different form of renewable energy including, wind, water, biomass, liquid biofuels, geothermal and solar energy and how these sources of energy can be adapted by communities and individuals.
3. I choose this book to learn more about how I can take part is using sustainable energy; it is a disturbing to think of how dependent on oil this country, including myself have become. It is time to look for some new options and I believe this book will present some.
4. The following is a link to a review of Citizen Powered Energy Handbook:http://domesticfuel.comThe following is a link to a website about the author and other similar books he has written:http://www.gregpahl.com/The author, Greg Pahl, has made multiple videos about sustainable energy and green living. Here is a link to a website with multiple of his videos:http://blip.tv/file/1569633/
5. This book is 376 pages. There are a total of 8 chapters. An introduction chapter explaining our energy choices and a conclusion chapter explaining what the community solution. The middle 6 chapters are dedicated to an alternative energy source. The first read n' seed will be the first chapter. The second and third read n' seed will be three chapters explaining three energy sources. The final read n' seed will explain the proposed solution.

Share and Voice: A Beautiful Day at Pattison Park

Hello everyone! I have recently spent the day at Pattison Park, which is a wonderful state park in
Wisconsin about 20-30 minutes south of Superior. There are miles of hiking trails that run along the Black River (This can be seen on the right). There are also many waterfalls that can be seen just off the beaten path. The picture on the lef tis off Little Manitou Falls. There are two set of falls at Pattison Park, Little Manitou and Big Manitou Falls.

To the left there is a picture of my mother and I at Little Manitou Falls a little mile hike. This was probably one of the most fun and relaxing days I have had in a long time.

I would recommend Pattison Park to anyone who is looking to escape there hectic life for just a little while.

Till next time,

Sarah

Share and Voice: Event, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

There is an exciting first time event happening in the Northland! On Saturday, October 9th, the first Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5k will be held at Lake Superior College.

The Making Strides event is a non-competitive 5k that is meant to celebrate breast cancer survivors and to express the hope and goal of ending a disease that threatens the lives of our loved ones. By participating in a Making Strides event you’re helping create a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays - where breast cancer never steals another year from anyone’s life.

There is no registration fee or minimum fundraising amount and people of all ages are welcome to participate. You can participate as an individual or as a team.

The money raised by this Making Strides event will:

Help people stay well by educating women to live healthy lives and reduce their risk for breast cancer, and to get screening tests such as mammograms to find breast cancer early

Help people facing breast cancer get well by providing information, day-to-day help, and emotional support to guide them through every step of their breast cancer experience

Find cures by investing in and conducting research leading discoveries into breast cancer’s causes and cures

There are many ways you can make strides against breast. You can donate, walk or become a volunteer. Any questions feel free to comment on the post.

To sign up or donate visit:

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY11Midwest?pg=entry&fr_id=28112.

Let's take steps towards becoming a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays.

Here's a great clip to help you all motivate you to make strides to a world with more birthdays!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNW5y1d92H8