American Public Media, a kissing-cousin of Minnesota Public Radio, has a new web feature out to measure your impact on the planet, called Consumer Consequences. You enter some data about your lifestyle and it’ll tell you how many planet earths would be needed if everyone lived like you.
Sadly, I am sitting at a need for 3.3 planets for everyone to live like me. My transportation choices are hurting me the most. Food is the next highest, though being a vegetarian certainly helps there.
There was a nice little silver lining though. After you’ve gone through your life and compared it to others, you can also adjust a few government policies. Turns out, if we upped car gas milage and implemented global warming solutions, my impact goes down by half a planet. It just so happens that as you read this many organizations are preparing to advance these issues during the next legislative session. Stayed tuned for how to get engaged with that.
Sure, you’ll find the game a wee bit simplistic and all, but it was a good reminder to me that I have miles to go on the road transit-way to sustainability. Give it a try and let me know how you do.