What's your ecological footprint...? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

blackmercedes · #1 01-14-2003, 11:36 PM

http://www.mec.ca/Apps/ecoCalc/ecoCalc.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=65865&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=65723&bmUID=1042604546978

Mine was 54% of the average North American footprint. Yikes! I hoped for better...

...will think about changes.

#2 01-14-2003, 11:59 PM

Don't worry, guys. I've got y'all beat (in the wrong direction) by a looooong shot. I wonder about the caloric intake part, though. I eat a lot, but go to the gym almost daily and am not overweight.

Plus I'm really flatfooted. That should make a difference too.

dieseldude · #3 01-15-2003, 12:55 AM

WOW - I've got you more than doubled John and W126! This may be a stupid question, but does %100 percent equal the North American Average then?

And this is from a guy (household of 2) who:
1.)Always buys only local (organic where possible) produce/meats when in season.
2.)Recycles plastics, glass, and paper obsessively
Has compact flourescent lighting throught home along with a majority of appliances being modern, high-efficiency types (no local options for green electricty)
3.)Keeps his cars tuned to run at their highest fuel economies (public transportation not an option with my schedule/work but commute only 6 mi. round trip.)

I imagine my percentage was hurt most by air travel (the 25 hour bracket in '02 from a vacation to the UK). Also my wife and I live in a large home (nearly 2500sq ft. for the two of us) purchased in preparation for starting a famly. Also, I know the Benz's aren't the most fuel efficient cars out there, but what must the owner's of Excursions/Suburbans/Massive SUV's be doing in this respect

I could definitely reduce my caloric intake (and wasted leftovers)during my more sedentary periods of the year, but I deinfitely thought I would have been doing better

Regards,
- Ryan, who is evidently responsible for global warming and extinction of species due to habitat destruction.

#4 01-15-2003, 12:59 AM

Okay, now I don't feel so bad and will 'fess up.

I scored a dismall 110.7%!

placo1 · #5 01-15-2003, 02:08 AM

Not that I don't want to take care of the environment but where the hell did they come up with these figures?

These figures seem like they came from an era when food production required much more resources than it does now. Technology has changed alot and honestly these figures don't seem to match with current reality.

I scored an honest 127% by the way.

Why?

I drive a ton each year and my job doesn't allow me to use public transportation. I can't drive a small car since I need to carry equipment and people so fuel economy goes out the door also. By the way, the 500E doesn't really get driven that often, we have a CRV for daily use, thats as economical as you can get in a larger vehicle.

So do websites like this exist to make people feel bad about their lifestyles? Didn't work.

The Warden · #6 01-15-2003, 03:16 AM

I got 67%...but, the way they were wording questions and statements, I think the page is done more in an attempt at shocking people into seeing how horribly they're damaging everything than in an attempt to be scientific. Therefore, I'm taking the whole thing with a grain of salt...I honestly don't think I'm excessive anywhere, so I'll stay the way I am.

420SEL · #7 01-15-2003, 06:54 AM

I got 174%. (maxed out on driving and almost maced out on flying too). I guess I'm on my way to taking over the world.

Kuan · #8 01-15-2003, 07:58 AM

I'm at 78.52%. My problem is I have to walk a mile to get to the bus, our growing season is 3 months long, and hell no, I'm not driving to Florida! Total yield on average for produce is around 60% although I try to use everything. I can't eat the bones I use for making sauce, I don't eat seeds, I don't eat the bad parts of lettuce, and I eat a balanced meal everytime which inclues most food groups. They make it hard for you to get a good score.

Kuan

dieseldude · #9 01-15-2003, 09:13 AM

Well, I'm glad to know I'm not the only %100+ out there!

(mines was %113 to be exact) It does say on the site that it is only meant to be an estimate and is a 'gross oversimplification' of the number of other factors that could be included.

I should say so! I think not including a question about how much you recycle is glaringly absent. Also, what about people that may waste food by not eating it, but put their leftovers in the compost pile? Or people who buy organic food/clothing etc. who contribute to more sustainable agricultural practices?

Anyway, still an eye-opener, but I'm taking it with a grain of salt.

Regards,
- Ryan

Ken300D · #10 01-15-2003, 01:20 PM

Excellent!

My "footprint" is about 350%

This means I'm grabbing the natural resources that should be allocated to myself, a Canadian, a Mexican, and five illegal immigrants!

I plan to celebrate with a long Sunday drive through the country, followed by a steak dinner and a laser-light show.

It's great to be an American!

Ken300D

Glen · #11 01-15-2003, 01:25 PM

81.81%
I'm not sure where or if I can cut back...

Rick Miley · #12 01-15-2003, 01:35 PM

99.16%

That makes me feel so..... average.

But I won't have any children so I'm not contributing to population growth. Nobody asked about that.

Triffin · #13 01-15-2003, 04:22 PM

73.55% and 18.53 acres ..

If you own more acres than your "footprint"
is it then OK to continue one's bad habits ??

Jim in Ct ..

Pete Geither · #14 01-15-2003, 04:35 PM

Ken, Sounds like you and I have a lot in common. I'm not what you might call politically correct as I have always thought if we run out of gas, I'll do it in my Benz at 150mph.
Kill Bin Laden

#15 01-15-2003, 07:13 PM

52.71 percent of an average North American's footprint. Of course, I live in an apartment and drive probably 10,000 miles a year (or a little less, I dunno).

-Sam