Third World Challenge

Electricity:

132.6 lbs C02/kWh

Water:

440 gallons/week

Vehicles (Gasoline):

15 gallons a week—> 297 lbs C02/week

Rail travel:

177.74 lbs C02/week

Bus travel:

0 lbs CO2/ week

*my calculations might be a little off because I used an online converter because I left the sheet at school.

Water: I drank 8 cups, washed hands, flushed toilet, showered

Food: toast, two apples, bread, broccoli rabe, shrimp

Electricity: lights, my ipod, computer

Gasoline: drove in the car for a total of 10 minutes throughout the day

Money: $20

2. Reduction - In what areas of your current lifestyle did you try to scale back the use of specific resources?

I think I used my phone maybe once to text my sister, I didn’t have it on me for the majority of the day. I did spend $20 dollars today, but it was for a good cause, but I didn’t by a coffee. I’d gotten a coffee nearly every day this week except for today.

3. Sustainability - Are there any changes that you made to your daily routine that you could envision making for the long term? Can you reduce your consumption permanently? Why or why not? Please be specific, and provide examples.

I survived a day without coffee, and I think that I could definitely continue it. In  a week I spent almost 15 dollars on coffee. I could save that money by either making my own or going without it altogether.

I also walked a lot today and plan ton continue with that rather than waste gas by driving places that are in walking distance.

 4. Peers - What did you learn from following the tumblr feed of your peers? Did one person’s actions resonate with you in a positive way? Will you adjust your own actions as a result of their post?

People took this project seriously and believe that they’ll continue their new habits. I feel like its important to learn something from this, and like them, I’ll continue with my new habits.

1. Consumption - What did you consume today?

Water: I drank 8 cups, washed hands, flushed toilet

Food: toast, an apple, coffee, bread, broccoli, shrimp

Electricity: lights, my phone, ipod

Gasoline: carpooled to school in the morning

Money: $2.25 for coffee

2. Reduction - In what areas of your current lifestyle did you try to scale back the use of specific resources?

I cut back on electricity, I didn’t use the computer at all or watch TV.  I tried cutting back on food, but I ate just as much as I usually do. I used blankets instead of the heat, which is kind of normal because in winter, my dad can be a little bit of a scrooge when it comes to heat (he never gets cold, and he’s saving money, so it’s like a win-win for him).

3. Sustainability - Are there any changes that you made to your daily routine that you could envision making for the long term? Can you reduce your consumption permanently? Why or why not? Please be specific, and provide examples.

I tried to cut down on food, but it was hard. Not to pat myself on the back, but I already don’t eat meat or dairy. I think I had already been reducing my consumption on food prior to this project.

I didn’t shower, and I sometimes don’t on Fridays because I ususally shower at night, and I’m usually really tired, so I don’t. This probably isn’t permanent, because I’m definitely going to shower again, but I might try to reduce my consumption like this again by either skipping a shower or shortening one.

I get cold really easily, so the heat will definitely need to go on soon, but for the meantime, I think blankets will suffice.

4. Peers - What did you learn from following the tumblr feed of your peers? Did one person’s actions resonate with you in a positive way? Will you adjust your own actions as a result of their post?

I think people are starting to take up habits after a week of this. I know that I am too. I hope that I stay just as stong as my classmates in keeping up with my new habits. If they can do it, so can I.

1.  Consumption - What did you consume today?

Please make a list for your usage of the following substances

Water – I drank like 8 cups of water
8 minute shower (woo hoo! down two minutes!)
Brushed my teeth, but as always I turned off the water when I didn’t need it
washed my hands, but today I turned off the water while I lathered (usually I’m wasteful and turn it on, then lather)
flushed the toilet
rinsed some dishes (2 minutes)

Food – toast, peanutbutter, 3 Altoids (throughout the day), an apple, coffee, another apple, a pear, broccoli, shrimp, and soy mint chocolate milk

Electricity – the computer for this, and projects in my Economics and Humanities classes, charged my ipod and cell phone, I vacuumed, lights in my house

Gasoline – I got a ride to school today and carpooled, it was about a ten minuted drive, maybe .25 gallons

$$Money$$ - $2.24 spent on coffee

2. Reduction - In what areas of your current lifestyle did you try to scale back the use of specific resources?

I was able to shorten my shower by two minutes which is an even better improvement. I also waited to turn on the water after I’d lathered up my hands with soap, rather than turning it on and letting it run while I got soap.

Although I did vacuum today, I later swept because I realized that it was probably a better way to clean up.

I turned off lights that weren’t necessary to be on. This drives my mother insane because she doesn’t like having dark rooms because she thinks it’s kind of depressing. I explained it to her and she was cool with it. I’ve also used candles, they don’t add a whole lot of light, but they add a tiny bit, and they smell really good, so its a win-win.

I carpooled today, so less gasoline was used!

3.  Sustainability - Are there any changes that you made to your daily routine that you could envision making for the long term?  Can you reduce your consumption permanently?  Why or why not? Please be specific, and provide examples.

I’ve been doing a lot better with shortening my showers, and I think I’ll definitely be able to continue it for the long run. I’ve also been trying to find different ways to not waste things, like being aware of how long I leave the water on when washing my hands or brushing my teeth.

Carpooling is something I should continue, but I need to wake up earlier for it. I feel like the difference of 15 minutes of sleep totally kills me, but it’s something I’ll need to get used to.

4.  Following - What did you learn from following the tumblr feed of your peers?  Did one person’s actions resonate with you in a positive way?  Will you adjust your own actions because of this?

After skimming through all the posts, I’ve noticed that some people are making pretty big changes. I’ve noticed that some people aren’t using social media at all and only using the computer for homework. Whenever I go on the computer and go on the internet, I feel like I instinctively type in “facebook”. I’ve made such a bad habbit of it that it’s going to be really hard to break. I’ll definitely try harder because knowing that other people can go without it makes me want to stop too.

1.  Consumption - What did you consume today?

Water: 10 minute shower
brushed teeth, but turned it off when I didn’t need it
I drank like 9 cups of water
flushing the toilet
washing my hands

Food: toast, peanutbutter, two apples, two pears, some shrimp, and some salad

Electricity: my ipod, phone, computer for homework (one hour), tv (one hour), lights in my house, charged my cell phone

Gasoline (fossil fuels): the ride to school (13 minutes), went to the store with my mother (30 minutes, and we took a shorter route)

$$Money$$ - $2 for a coffee

2. Reduction - In what areas of your current lifestyle did you try to scale back the use of specific resources?

I tried to turn off lights when it wasn’t necessary for them to be on. I walked a lot today, rather than taking the train between stops that were close together, I walked. I tried showering quicker, but it was the same as before.

3.  Sustainability - Are there any changes that you made to your daily routine that you could envision making for the long term?  Can you reduce your consumption permanently?  Why or why not? Please be specific, and provide examples.

I like to walk, and I feel like it’d be a lot better to either walk or ride my bike instead of driving or even using public transportation. I usually walk a lot in the spring and summer but not as much in fall and winter. I hope to try and take advantage of the warmer days in fall and to walk in nicer weather. I live near the place I work at, so when it’s nice out, I’m able to walk there.

4.  What did you learn from following the tumblr feed of your peers?  Did one person’s actions resonate with you in a positive way?  Will you adjust your own actions as a result of their post?

I learned that other people are trying just as hard as I am. Yesterday, I’d noticed that some people were cutting their shower times down to 5 minutes. I was a little surprised because I don’t think I’ve ever showered that quickly. When I read more posts, I realized that I wasn’t the only one who’s goal of a 10 minute shower was an improvement. It made me feel better, but I still strive for a shorter time, like the people who shower in 5 minutes.

I also saw how a lot of people didn’t spend money. Technically I didn’t spend that much money, but today I went to the store with my mom and got some early Christmas presents. I didn’t spend money, but my mom spent it for me. I want to try and not spend any money, as I’ve seen a lot of people accomplish.

1.  Consumption - What did you consume today?

Please make a list for your usage of the following substances

Water – drank: 10ish cups
shower: 10 minutes
brushing teeth: 2 minutes (but pauses in between so maybe like 30 seconds of running water)
flushing toilet
washing hands

Food –toast, peanutbutter, coffee, pinapple slices, strawberries, celery, carrots, red pepper slices, shrimp, salad (lettuce, tomatoes, celery, carrots, cucumber, onion)

Electricity – toaster, computer for homework, lights in my house/ rooms I went into, the phone (my sister called), my ipod,

Gasoline – about 150 miles going to my aunt’s house and back, about 10 gallons

$$Money$$ - none. my mom bought me a coffee, so kind of but not really

2. Reduction - In what areas of your current lifestyle did you try to scale back the use of specific resources?

I took a shorter shower than usual, I normally take like 15 minutes, but I only did ten today. I tried to not drink as much water, but it was hard because I usually drink a lot. I felt really thirsty, so I ended up giving in and drinking the water. I tried to cut down on electricity by turning off the lights after I left a room. I didn’t cook anything today, I toasted some bread, but other than that, none of the food I ate required an oven.

3.  Sustainability - Are there any changes that you made to your daily routine that you could envision making for the long term?  Can you reduce your consumption permanently?  Why or why not? Please be specific, and provide examples.

I could definitely take shorter showers more. It wasn’t too hard, and I can easily make a habit of it. I definitely couldn’t reduce it permanently. I shower almost everyday. I don’t think I could go without it or do something drastic like a 2 minute shower.

I cut down on electricity by turning of lights that didn’t need to be on. I’ve always done this because it’s really a waste to leave lights on that no one is using. Today I was a lot more aware of it. I think I’ll always need electricity and never be able to totally get rid of it because so much technology depends on it.

I definitely couldn’t reduce my water or food habits or intake. I only drink water, and when I’m thirsty I drink a lot of it. I could probably reduce it a tiny bit, but nothing major. For food, I’m already a vegan (except I eat fish), and I eat all natural foods. I’m really picky when it comes to food, and I don’t think I’ll be able to change my habits at all. I could cut down my intake, but I don’t think I’d be able to change what I eat.

For gasoline, my family and I went to my aunt’s house. We don’t usually use 10 gallons of gas in a day, but it’s just because my aunt lives far away.