| <\/td>\n | Water used for your transportation and energy<\/td>\n | 560<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n| <\/td>\n | Water used by your stuff<\/td>\n | 212<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n | The first area covered was water used in my home and yard, but I consider this to be a little tainted. \u00a0According to the website I use sixty-three gallons of water a day in my home and the average American uses about one-hundred gallons. \u00a0Currently, I live in an on-campus apartment complex with three of my friends and we have access to a our own personal bathroom and a laundry room. We do have a kitchen, but due to our access to a separate cafeteria, we mainly consume food there so we do not have to clean many dishes. \u00a0Maybe a few here and there on the weekends. Also, we do not have a yard and do not have to water any plants, which I feel would have a major impact on my results. \u00a0With that said, if you asked me about water usage in ten years when I have a home of my own, these numbers would probably increase.<\/p>\n I was surprised to see my diet below average because since I am a student-athlete that plays football, I am constantly trying to stay healthy and in shape, especially during this current offseason with all of the training and such. \u00a0The average American uses about 1,056 gallons on their diet and I was placed slighting below at 1,015. I eat a lot of chicken and meat products with protein so I do not see how I can be below average. \u00a0And when I say a lot, I mean basically every meal. Maybe I am slacking….<\/p>\n Being below average in the transportation and energy aspect was even more shocking than the diet aspect. \u00a0The average American uses about 700 gallons of water during transportation and the use of energy. \u00a0I was placed at 560 gallons. \u00a0Why am I surprised? I am a student on a relatively small campus and town and I literally drive everywhere. \u00a0The cafeteria, class, library, etc. \u00a0You name it, I am driving. \u00a0Also, I do a lot of driving visiting friends at other schools, traveling home, going to sporting events (Philadelphia), and other necessary travels. \u00a0Not only do I drive, but I also fly a lot. \u00a0My sister lives in Chicago so I probably go to visit her at least four times a year. \u00a0Not to mention, I am going to Cancun in a week for spring break…<\/p>\n The “stuff” aspect of the chart is referring to clothes, toilet paper, paper in general, etc. \u00a0The American average in this part of the chart 232 gallons and I placed at 212. \u00a0This aspect was not surprising to me because I am the type of person that simply uses the “stuff” I already have. \u00a0I do not go shopping often, only when I have to, and I would not say I abuse paper and such by using too much. \u00a0I would say this aspect is pretty accurate.<\/p>\n When adding my numbers up, you would find that I use about 1,850 gallons compared to the American average of 2,088. \u00a0Like I said already, if you check in with me in the future, I firmly believe my numbers will increase. \u00a0I think me being in college right now limits me in certain aspects. \u00a0However, why in the world am I telling you about the amount of water I use? \u00a0I am telling you this because we need to appreciate our resources and stop taking them for granted. \u00a0A vast amount of people living all over the Middle East struggle to get even a third of what my numbers came out to be. \u00a0Turn off your sinks when you brush your teeth, take less than ten minute showers (I am guilty), etc. \u00a0Overall, just be appreciative about the easy lives we are capable of living. \u00a0Our lives seen like a struggle at times, but we should learn to appreciate the little things that make our lives so much easier, but also learn to not abuse them.<\/p>\n If you are interested in finding your water footprint, follow the link:<\/p>\n http:\/\/environment.nationalgeographic.com\/environment\/freshwater\/water-footprint-calculator<\/a><\/p>\n or<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.waterfootprint.org\/?page=cal\/WaterFootprintCalculator<\/a><\/p>\n Before filling out the information about my water footprint, I was expecting it to be off the charts because lets be honest, we always expect the worst for ourselves. However, I could not have been more wrong. It turns out that I use less water than the average American. Lets see how this occurred. Be […] |
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