Blogs
Ecological Footprint
1. What part of your ecological footprint most surprised you?
The part that most surprised me was the fact that if everyone were to live the way I did, then we would need 2.4 Planet Earths to provide the resources.
2. How did your footprint compare to your city’s average and your country’s average?
Townsville’s CO2 emission per annum is approximately 120,000 tonnes. Australia’s CO2 emissions are approximately 542,031,205 tonnes per annum. Comparing this to my individual CO2 output of 4.4, I currently have less of an ecological footprint than that of an Australian citizen who on average produces 22.8 tonnes.
3. What parts of your footprint do you feel is possible to reduce? What parts don’t?
It is possible to reduce the amount of packaged goods consumed as well as the amount of animal products as it is having the heaviest impact on my overall ecological footprint. The energy being used could also be supplied by a renewable energy source such as solar panels. Public transport is a small change but does however have a significant impact on my ecological impact in utilising it.
Climate Challenge
1. What strategy did you take in Climate Challenge? Was it effective in reducing emissions?
In order to effectively reduce CO2 emissions, a large sum of money had to be invested towards clean, reusable and efficient sources of power. These included building a large number of wind mills throughout the country and taxing the public for the extra use of personal transport. In doing so, I was able to decrease the CO2 emissions and gain the approval of the world leaders.
2. What did you think of how the strategy cards represented resources? Do you think some of the strategies/policies would have different impacts than the ones shown in the game?
Have a larger variety of cards that were more cost efficient would greatly aid in gaining the approval of both the public and the world leaders as I only achieved the approval of the world leaders and have a cleaner environment at the expense of the public's disapproval. However having cards representing resources was a simplistic way to keep track of your resources whilst providing helpful information.
3. How did you approach international negotiations? Was it better to lead by example, or attempt to encourage other nations by investing in their green economies?
I approached them using both strategies as a combination of the two ensued that as a president, my nation’s CO2 usage decreased. By investigating in other’s green economy, it encouraged them to invest in my own. By the end of the century, I had gained full approval of all the world leaders however it came at the cost of my own nation’s disapproval.
Water Footprint
1. Where you surprised by how much water you consumed?
I was very surprised by the amount of water I use and consume every year. This is because I have always thought to always be aware my water usage however my results from the Water Footprint Calculator shows otherwise.
2. How did your footprint compare to your country’s and the world's average? (You will need to research this.)
My water footprint was much higher than an Australian’s average water footprint as the average is 1393 cubic meters per year compared to my own which was 1480 cubic meters per year.
