How many planets does it take to support your lifestyle? Hint: One planet is not nearly enough for even the greenest among us.
This Earth Day, join the global celebration of the one thing we all have in common--the Earth--by not only pledging an ecological footprint-reducing act of green but also by making a pinky-swear to the planet and a promise to future generations to lead a greener life sustainable by our one and only planet.
The Earth Day Network is rallying-up the energy, enthusiasm and activism of multitudes of individuals toward the collective goal of A Billion Acts of Green by Rio+20.
While those billion acts of green are an immense demonstration of a worldwide commitment to our planet, they are no match to the billions upon billions of resource-wasting, planet-polluting acts that permeate most of our daily lives. Unless, of course, we take our pledges as seriously as vows made under oath and resolve to live by our newfound environmental ethos.
When pledging an act of green this Earth Day, make a pledge to go green all the way. Every action, every breath we take, has an impact on our planet. Pledge to make that impact positive by pledging to reduce your ecological footprint. Take the first step by calculating your ecological footprint.
After taking the Earth Day Network’s Ecological Footprint quiz, explore the “what-ifs” of your ecological impact. While reducing your impact will certainly require lifestyle changes, these changes are not necessarily drastic. In fact, there are a number of simple actions you can take to reduce your ecological footprint.
According to the Earth Day Network’s Footprint Calculator, the act of green you pledge this Earth Day can make all the difference.
For example, the Earth Day Network’s Footprint Calculator asserts that if every American pledged to purchase products that use less packing or were made out of 100% post-consumer recycled content material, we could use 521 million fewer global acres, an area that could cover 391 million football fields. Many New Yorkers can easily make (and keep) this pledge by joining a local food co-op or farm share.
Another footprint-reducing pledge the Earth Day Network’s Footprint Calculator suggests is taking local vacations to avoid flying this year. If every American did this, we would use 63 million fewer global acres, an area that could cover 47 million football fields. New Yorkers can easily commit themselves to this pledge in particular: within reach of everything from the city to the beach to the mountains and everything in-between, who can resist a New York-based stay-cation?
Earth Day New York likewise advocates Earth Day resolutions that emphasize reducing ecological footprints. Work on reducing your footprint this Earth Day with the Count Down Your Carbon campaign.
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