I used the carbon footprint calculator of the  International Student Challenge Carbon Footprint Challenge to measure my carbon footprint per year. My result was reasonably higher than the average person’s in the Philippines and lower than the worldwide average. 

I find it reasonable for my result to be highest in the home category because this pandemic has forced people my age and lower to stay in our homes and do most of our activities from day to night every day at home. Not only that, but the fact that I am a student whose online classes are eight hours every six days of the week heightens my need for prolonged use of my devices and stable connection. While taking this test, I realized how many fans were on in our house. There were two stand fans in the bedroom, two table fans downstairs, and a portable fan for when my mother is cooking. Another reason for the home category is because of the dishes. My father dislikes having even just a single plate on the sink, so he washes everything before they pile up. However, I have read in a study that it is better to wash dishes when the sink is full for us to save water. 

The food category, however, surprised me since I never thought of our eating habits that way. In the Philippines, we have grown used to taking out food in any container given by the restaurant. In turn, we rarely throw them out since we use them again for different purposes like plant pots or knick-knack holders. Additionally, we do not practice composting since we consume almost everything we buy (or mother will be upset lol).   

I was pleased to find that my results in the purchase and transportation category to be lower than those in my region. The reason behind it was simply because our family is not fond of going out or buying in trends. We have a rule in the family that everything we do or have needs to have a reason. Each one of my clothes is either given by relatives or bought for a special occasion. We rarely go out to eat because we are fond of food deliveries or home-cooked meals and watching movies at home together.   

With all things considered, the test made me realize how much impact everything we do down to a single piece of clothing we buy. This result only shows my carbon footprint; what more if we added those of the whole country? On the other hand, the details of which builds up the amount of carbon footprint could lessen if we put our minds to it. If we took the caring of our shared home seriously and together, we could make a significant improvement in the world. It is the reason why, as a delegate of COP26, I strive to educate myself and others on pressing issues such as climate change and world equity.  

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