Ecological backpack

SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE

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Why should I care?

SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION

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What is actually consumption?

Why do we consume?

•clean water•air•food•clothing•electronics •etc.

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We use more efficient technologies than before. So why does the energy consumption of households still keep on growing?

1970'

1980'

1990'

2000'

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We all wish to have a happy life with certain social and material needs met. However,

(World Bank Development Indicators 2008)

the wealthiest 20 % of the World’s population

are responsible for almost 80 % of the consumption

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To ensure equal rights for everyone to live happy life we need more wealth from fewer resources

Factor 4:

Resource use Wealth

1/2 X2

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To reach targets and monitor progress, we need to measure where we stand.

Ecological backpack is one tool to for this.

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What is ecological backpack?

Ecological backpack consists of the weight of the natural resources and energy used along the life cycle •Raw materials•Manufacturing•Transportation•Usage•Disposal

The backpack is

usually heavier than

the product itself.

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But how do I know what is relevant?

SO I GOT THE IDEA AND WANT TO DO SOMETHING

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Do you recycle?

Great, it is a good start but…

… the most important thing is to save natural resources and prevent waste.

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Do you buy eco-labelled

products?

Good choice but

is it enough?

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Do you offset your carbon emissions?

Great way to support

development of

clean and efficient energy use.

But is this the way out?

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What to do for one’s personal eco-backpack?

Mobility Housing and energy use

Food Stuff Leisure time

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SOMETHING TO DO AND DISCUSS ABOUT

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Think about the goods you ownThink about:

Which three items you could do with out?

1.2.3.

Which three items you couldn’t do without?

1.2.3.

Which three items you could borrow?

1.2.3.

TO-DO

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Take the One Did It test to find out your personal ecological backpack and discuss the results.

www.onedidit.com

TO-DO

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Small savings can contribute to large savings when many people take the

action together.

1. If every member of your class would turn TV of for 10 hours, how much would you save together?

2. What about your whole school or the city where you live in?

Producing one kWh of electricity in the OECD countries consumes approximately 1,55 kg’s of non-renewable resources. With one kWh you can keep the TV on for about 10 hours.

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Prepare a list of actions you could take at home or which could be done at your school to save energy and natural resources.

TO-DO

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Find out how the consumption of resources

has changed during the last 20 years or so.

energy foodstuffs

water etc.

natural resources

Check both the total and per capita figures.

TO-DO

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Further reading and links TO-DO

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• http://www.storyofstuff.com/ animation about production cycles of stuff and consumer culture

• http://www.dothegreenthing.com/ ”inspires people to lead a greener life”

• http://www.foe.co.uk/living/tips/tips_list.html list of green tips by Friends of the Earth

Material provided by: v

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www.scp-centre.org www.onedidit.com