Ecological Footprint

If everyone in the world lived as I do, we would need 4.9 Earths.  This means that we would need 4.9 times the amount of Earth's resources for everyone to live like me.  My largest category for my footprint was my carbon footprint. I have a big family, so we need bigger cars.  This combined with all the traveling we do caused my carbon footprint to be higher than all the others.  The methodology behind the quiz is not completely perfect, however.  At the moment, it doesn't take into account the pollution caused by each person, nor does it address unsustainable resource management.  It also takes into account your share in the public footprint, like schools and roads.  This can cause the results to be higher, even if you do live a green lifestyle.  The total ecological footprint takes into account all of the country, while per capita ecological footprints divide that number by the total population to find each person's effect. You need to consider both, because it helps show that every person's ecological footprint makes a difference and if we all lowered it, even just a little bit, we could dramatically change the nation's ecological footprint.

Tragedy of the Commons

Since the early 1900s, people have used dams to retain water and create hydro power.  While these uses undoubtedly help people who live near and around the dam, the effect on salmon is far less pleasant.  The dams disrupt and increase the amount of times they migrate.  Those who do make it past the dam, are often stunned by the electric turbines they have to pass through.  Many people have tried to solve the problem, including creating hatcheries, but all attempts have been unsuccessful.