Ecological Footprint Update and Course Reflection
In my ecological footprint reduction project, some of the changes I decided to make to reduce my ecological footprint include recycling, consuming organic food, avoiding plastic products and going for eco-friendly ones, using public transport or a bicycle more often, and lastly, yet importantly, water conservation practices. I have successfully implemented these changes, especially now that I am aware of the activities I did that had the biggest carbon and water footprint. Nevertheless, I have also encountered some challenges. For example, switching to organic food means I have to cook more than I did when I ordered processed food like a pizza. Further, this activity has helped me be more environmentally conscious and healthier and improved my lifestyle. For instance, I have developed a habit of being time-conscious now that I use the bus more often; secondly, riding my bicycle more often has helped me stay in shape. Thirdly, I have also managed to save money through recycling.
I learned a lot in the second week of class, especially about population demographics. One experience that stood out was how scientists carry out various and surprisingly accurate tests on people to determine the rate at which the population is multiplying. For example, one test predicted by 2022, India would overtake China as the most populous country in the world (Bensel & Carbone, 2020). This was seconded recently by a UN report which stated that India will become the most populous country by 2023 (Desa, 2019). These tests are surprising because they predict that by the turn of the century, the earth’s population will be nearly double, which is concerning, seeing that we are already straining the earth’s resources with a population of seven billion.
I also found it frustrating that countries like China and India had taken extreme measures like forceful sterilization and instituting one-child per family policies (Rosenzweig & Zhang, 2009) to control the birth rates. Eventually, these efforts backfired, and I believe that if they had opted for more humane ways, like simply educating the public on the dangers of overpopulation, the result could have been different. The overpopulation crisis in India today could possibly have been prevented. From an ecological standpoint, we are already living beyond our means, which means that our rate of consuming earth’s resources is not sustainable, especially if the population keeps growing rapidly. Looking forward to the coming weeks, I am most excited to learn more about population change and the rates of material and resource consumption in efforts of sustainable development.
References
Bensel, T., & Carbone, I. (2020). Sustaining Our Planet (1st ed., pp. 1-68). Zovia Inc.
Desa, U. N. (2019). World population prospects 2019: Highlights. New York (US): United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs, 11(1), 125.
Rosenzweig, M. R., & Zhang, J. (2009). Do population control policies induce more human capital investment? Twins, birth weight, and China’s “one-child” policy. The Review of Economic Studies, 76(3), 1149-1174.
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Question 
Prior to working on this journal, read Chapters 3 and 4 in your course textbook.
Throughout this course, you are keeping a journal about your experience in the class. The purpose of this activity is to enable you to reflect on your learning: what new things you have discovered, what surprises you have encountered, what topics or ideas you have found particularly challenging, and how the course is going for you. Last week you began the Environmental Footprint Reduction Project. This week, you will begin using this journal as a space for a progress report on your efforts. Your entries will be evaluated in terms of how well they met the topic and length requirements, as well as your writing clarity. Your entries should be a minimum of one typed page each (double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font) and will be submitted through Waypoint.
Ecological Footprint Update and Course Reflection
Complete the following:
In the first paragraph or two of your journal entry this week, provide a status report on your Ecological Footprint Reduction Project. Have you encountered success with implementing your intended changes? What challenges have you encountered? What have you learned so far from this activity?
In another one or two paragraphs, share your thoughts about the second week of class. What did you learn? What experiences stand out for you? What tasks or content did you find difficult or frustrating? What activities did you find surprising or exciting? Looking ahead, what are you intrigued or concerned by in the third week of the course?
Carefully review the Grading Rubric (Links to an external site.) for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment. Attached is previous week’s journal. Thank you