Recapping my Carbon Footprint Reduction

So, looking back at my carbon reducing strategies, I would have to say that I am doing quite well on my commitments.

1. Replace a meat-based meal with a nice, healthy peanut butter and jelly

Recently, I ran out of peanut butter... I have been scraping the bottom of the jar. It is truly sad to watch. But soon, soon I will have another jar and things will be back up and running. Other than this recent --yet frightful-- deviation from my carbon-fighting course, I have done well on eating PB&J once a day or atleast like 3-5 times a week. Sadly, I am getting a little sick of it, but I can struggle through --it is for a good cause after all. This goal has had a great impact on making me pay attention to what I eat everyday and I have made a conscious attempt to change my eating patterns for the better of myself and the environment.

2. Reduce buying of non-essential new consumer goods

This goal has been going pretty well too... I admit, I bought a nice, new shirt from target for like 20 bucks... but it was for work and I haven't bought anything else, i swear! No new socks, underwear, t shirts, nothing. I feel like this is something that will become even more important to me over the coming years. I now feel like I need to know where a piece of clothing or consumer good is coming from before I feel truly comfortable with purchasing it. It is definitely a step in the right direction. Our project focuses on the detrimental impacts of cotton growing around the globe and that also makes me wary of where exactly my clothes come from. I have always had more of a flare for social justice rather than the environment but now I am finding out how inextricably linked they are and it is startling.

3. Reduce household energy consumption simply, by unplugging unused appliances

Once again I feel like I have done very good at this goal. In my room currently, I can attest to the fact that my most often used electronics are plugged in to my surge protector and that it is currently turned off! My computer isn't needlessly charging, and my cell phone charger is only plugged in when truly necessary. I only charge it when it completely dies. I think that I have helped urge my roommates to reduce their unused electrical components too. And I also have been paying more attention to when lights are being overused, or turned on for no reason.