This assignment was definitely a difficult and scary one for me. Growing up in a wealthy area of the suburbs, I knew that my results were going to be jarring, and that expectation was definitely met. My results were: I need 5.6 Earths, and my overshoot day is on March 5th. This idea is certainly overwhelming to be as someone who cares deeply about the climate crisis. I noticed that the things about my lifestyle that were most inefficient were in the type of car I drive, and the amount of processed food I consume. One thing that is difficult about this particular idea is that, while I definitely could be doing more to be more sustainable, it would take a significant amount of personal effort (which I should be putting in), but I question the effectiveness of my own personal actions. Especially when both of these things (car model and processed food consumption) have been placed in my hands by corporations that are doing the same thing to the many others in my societal position. I wonder if my energy would be better placed in lobbying for legislation that could control the corporate interests that make unsustainable options the easiest for a powerful segment of the population. At the same time, however, I do believe that we all have an individual responsibility to do our best for the common good and the good of the planet, and I know myself and my family could be doing more.
