opinion: carbon calculator, week 10

 

Week 10, and the last, in the continuing series of what is missing from Carbon Calculators.  

There is a list of the things that those calculators don’t ask, thereby eliminating them from their algorithm. These are the things that are sometimes the meat of the matter, so to speak. By altering these things, you could affect your true footprint in ways unimaginable and truly make our planet sustainable.

 

STOP HAVING KIDS, or at least so many

The Vatican released a statement recently that the birth control pill does more harm to the environment because of all the hormones being secreted out of female urine.  This is laughable, especially when you consider all the damage done by the things listed above.

Interestingly, what can help the environment the most is being more responsible for the amount of children you are having.  You have a certain eco-footprint.  When you have a child, consider that your footprint just doubled.  You are using more water, more electricity, and buying more things.  You may use the television as a babysitter.  You are doing more laundry.  You may even be drinking more coffee.  Your home has gotten bigger.  Your car has gotten bigger.  And, your waist has gotten bigger.

I know this is something that many people do not want to hear.  I am not saying that your child isn’t fantastic and doesn’t deserve the best.  I have children in my life (not my own) that I love and think the world is better for them being here.  But that is not to say if you have four kids, I think you are irresponsible… because I do. 

Especially, if you consider yourself an environmentalist.  Because those two things do not go hand in hand.