Reducing our ecological footprint

www.royalsaskmuseum.ca/gallery/life_sciences/footprint_mx_2005.swf

BEVERIDGE (advisor: A-M Lalonde ~ M343; Project Supervisor: V. Jansen)

“Composting and recycling are effective ways to reduce our goods and services footprint”.

4- Topic: Composting

THIS GROUP WILL MEET WITH MS. SCATTOLIN’S GROUP FOR THE AFTERNOON ACTIVITY AS SHE WILL BE SUPERVISING A TRIP TO PARKS & GARDENS (ALSO FOR A BIT IN THE MORNING!).

Questions:

1. What is meant by composting?

2. What is vermin-composting?

3. What do you need to compost? What can you compost? Do you need a backyard or can an apartment-dweller have one too?

4. What is the purpose of the autumn leaf and Christmas tree pick-ups?

5. What is humus?

6. What is meant by biodegradable?

7. How does vegetable matter decompose?

8. What are soil micro-organisms?

9. Can you create a compost bin in your backyard? What are the bylaws for this?

10. What soil type and texture is best for plant growth?

11. What are the roles of macronutrients in the proper growth and survival of plants?

12. What is compost tea?

13. What are decomposers?

14. What are the best conditions for the proper development of compost?

15. Does Montreal have an organic waste collection program? Other Canadian cities?

16. Investigate ways to add composting for apartment dwellers, including pros and cons of each method.

Activities:

(both activities to be completed)

A: Collect soil samples and conduct a series of experiments.

B: Collect kitchen scraps to nourish your worms.

THIS GROUP WILL MEET WITH MS. SCATTOLIN’S GROUP FOR THE AFTERNOON ACTIVITY AS SHE WILL BE SUPERVISING A TRIP TO PARKS & GARDENS

5- Topic: Consumerism

THIS GROUP WILL BE WITH MME. LALONDE FOR THE AFTERNOON ACTIVITY THAT INCLUDES A TRIP TO A HARDWARE STORE

Questions:

1. What have industries and individuals done to reduce our packaging wastes? Have our packing wastes actually been reduced?

2. What are green cleaning products? What are they being replaced with and are they free?

3. Why are plastic bags so bad?

4. Why is the clothing and textile industry considered among the highest pollutants?

5. What is eco-fashion?

6. How has the music industry influenced environmental concern?

7. What are the consequences of pet owners using regular plastic bags to store their animal’s feces and how is this becoming a major problem for major cities? What measures are some cities taking to address this problem?

8. How is the electronics (batteries, computers, cell phones) industry way behind in leaving a green footprint?

9. Can you calculate the rate of electronic disposable objects among your peer group.

Activities:

(Choose one of the following activities)

C: Visit grocery or hardware store- what are the green cleaning products and prices.

D: Visit a large store. Identify products that use excessive packaging (e.g., small item using large amounts of plastic) versus products that have made an attempt to reduce wasteful packaging.

THIS GROUP WILL BE WITH MME. LALONDE FOR THE AFTERNOON ACTIVITY THAT INCLUDES A TRIP TO A HARDWARE STORE

Shelter Footprint

“Anything that makes a house more energy efficient will shrink its footprint”.

7- Topic: Energy and Water Efficiency

THIS GROUP WILL BE WITH MME. LALONDE FOR THE AFTERNOON ACTIVITY THAT INCLUDES A TRIP TO A HARDWARE STORE

Questions:

1. What are energy saving features and energy-saving habits of homeowners?

2. What are some water-saving features? What are some wasteful water habits and what can we do to improve our such behaviour?

3. What are “Energy Star-rated” products that can by households to reduce energy consumption (e.g., for mowing lawns, household chores, etc.)

4. What are dry-composting toilets? 3-flush toilets & What are low-flow fixtures?

5. What energy efficient improvements can be made to someone’s home?

6. In what ways has LCC ‘greened’ its campus (provide 5 examples).

7. Calculate the average water flow in a typical day at LCC.

8. What are low-flow fixtures?

9. Green lawn mowers?

10. List four energy sources that have had a negative impact upon the environment. Explain.

11. List four clean sources of energy that could supply all of the world’s energy needs

12. If clean energy sources exist, why hasn’t the world switched over?

13. How is coal used to produce electricity and how much does it contribute to climate change? What is clean coal technology and is it actually possible?

14. In what way does dirty energy produce smog and what are some of the primary health problems that people suffer as a result

Activities:

(Choose one of the following activities)

B: Visit to a hardware store to compare energy efficient options.

D: Draw or paint your vision of an energy self-sufficient home and car in the future.

THIS GROUP WILL BE WITH MME. LALONDE FOR THE AFTERNOON ACTIVITY THAT INCLUDES A TRIP TO A HARDWARE STORE