#3 Ecological Footprint

My results!



When I first starting taking the sustainability test, I thought my score was going to be good. I thought I can't possibly use that many resources. I'd say my home is the most sustainable aspect of my life. My boyfriend has all energy efficient appliances, efficient air conditioner, and uses efficient light bulbs. We recycle everything that is recyclable, so I think it's safe to say our home itself is energy efficient. But, the way we live is not so energy efficient. We go out to eat more than we don't. We eat a lot of junk food. I drive everywhere, especially to school and back. My boyfriend and I thought that we could maybe make some changes to live a more sustainable lifestyle, especially in transportation and food

consumption.

My Consumption...

1. Energy usage- My boyfriend and I have three fish tanks that have lights on them all day, we probably watch an hour or two of television each day, the water softener for our well has a timer that runs all day, the washer and dryer, lights being turned on and off, the air conditioner (even though energy efficient), the hot water heater, driving places in our cars, etc. This is just some of the energy we use on a daily basis.

2. Fuel usage- The only thing I can think of that requires fuel is my vehicle, all the appliances in my house are electric. Even though that's the only thing that I use that needs fuel, I still need a tank of gas every week and my gas tank can hold 11 gallons at a time. 

3. Food intake- I probably, on average, eat 3 or 4 times a day. I sometimes will eat at a salad and soup place, but mostly eat where it is quick to grab something. Being a college student, I really don't have the time to cook, so I just grab whatever is convienent.

4. Water Use- I take a shower once a day for probably about 20 minutes. I know I could probably be quicker if I stopped shaving everytime I showered, but I don't think I really want to do that. I also rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, wash my hands at least 7-10 times a day, if not more. We have a timer set to water the grass, usually only during the winter months. We also have three fish tanks that get a water change weekly.

5. Packaging- I eat out probably about 7 to 8 times a week. That is a lot of packaging I throw away once all the food is gone. We get mail everyday, whether it be just advertisements or bills it all gets thrown away eventually. When I go to the grocery store I get my groceries in plastic bags, most of the time. 

Picture websites…

http://goldschmidt.info/2008/sustainability

http://asbactivities.asb-wiki.wikispaces.net/Recycling+Club

#2 Field Trip- Campus and Trails

When I first starting going to FGCU I learned it is a "green school", but I guess I never realized just how green the school really is. I knew FGCU was a huge school and must be using many resources. After taking the field trip through the campus and going on the swamp walk, it finally dawned on me that this school was the most sustainable place I had ever been. From the toilets to the air-conditioning system, this school seems like it has taken every precaution to be more sustainable.

The Campus walk was pretty interesting. I enjoyed learning that they planted mulberry trees for the students to pick and eat; I absolutely love mulberries. Walking by the air-conditioning system really stood out to me, as well. My boyfriend Joe works at an air conditioning company that actually works on some of FGCU's system. He has told me before that out of all the places he has worked on air conditioning units, FGCU is by far the most unique system. I really like being outdoors and walking around campus made me feel calm and serene, even among all the commotion  of a busy school.

I didn't know exactly what to expect from the swamp walk. I thought it would be fun, but if I saw a snake or alligator I would probably freak out. Thankfully, we did not see anything like that, and it turned out to be a very good experience. It reminded me of growing up, and playing in the woods with my friends. I enjoyed that it felt like we were deep in the swamp when we were only fifty yards away from actual civilization. I didn't like not being able to see through the water, it made me wonder if there were snakes or alligators hiding, just waiting to attack.  

Picture websites…

http://www.zazzle.com/funny_sustainability_card-137385800672034715

http://www.itatennis.com/ITA_Teams/Florida_Gulf_Coast_-_Men/Roster.htm

http://erikakentcolloquiumblog.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html

http://www.vte.qc.ca/en/destinations/usa/louisiana.html

#1 Incoming Reflection

The first time I heard anything about Colloquium, I was in orientation for transfer students in the Student Union. A short video about Colloquium was put on and it talked, in brief, about what Colloquium was all about. My first impression about Colloquium, after watching the video, was that it seemed like it was going to be a fun class. How many college courses take you on field trips to the swamp or beach? I love to take classes where I can learn about the environment, and what I can do to make it a better place.    

I love being in nature, a state park, or in my backyard. My favorites places outdoors are on the beaches on the east coast of Florida, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the Smokey Mountains, and the Everglades.

I grew up my whole life surrounded by the "woods". When I was in elementary and middle school, the only time I was inside is if it was raining or my parents grounded me. I was always outside playing with the many animals we had, such as goats, rabbits, chickens, etc., or building forts with my brothers. But lately, maybe because I'm in college, I just don't feel like I get outdoors much. When I am outside taking a nature walk or just sitting in the woods I feel completely calm and stress free. I moved in with my boyfriend a few years ago in a house in San Carlos Park. San Carlos doesn't have much nature, maybe a patch of woods here and there. I feel disconnected with nature sometimes. Then, I remember there are many parks and areas that I could easily drive to in 15 minutes to feel that connection to nature, so it's not to bad.    

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul. "

John Muir

"Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads."

Henry David Thoreau