How Many Planets Would it Take if Everyone Lived as You Do?
By Andrea Sanchez Benitez
Sustainability Editor
It is estimated that the average footprint per Canadian is around 14.2 tonnes. Given the Earth’s limited resources, if the global population consumed as much as the average Canadian, the planet would be unable to sustain the demand. In the context of the alarming climate crisis, it is pertinent to reflect on these numbers and seize opportunities to reduce personal carbon emissions.
An interesting way to gain insight into our carbon consumption weight is through the Global Footprint Network website. In fact, in less than 5 minutes, the online Ecological Footprints Calculator estimates how many planets it would take if everyone worldwide emitted as much carbon as you did.
In all transparency, I needed at least three planets, and it was estimated that if everyone had my carbon footprint, our dear planet Earth would overshoot on April 28th. Although acknowledging the tragedy of the situation, it was interesting to view my results and compare them with those of my friends and family, and I invite all of you to do the same. Indeed, the test is far from exact, as some questions are more challenging to answer, and the quiz length is small. Nevertheless, it makes one reflect on their impact on the planet and the small changes one can make to reduce their carbon footprint.
For those who enjoy BuzzFeed Quizzes, what are you waiting for? Next time, opt for the Ecological Footprints Calculator. It is quick and interesting. Most importantly, it can make a difference to gain insight on ones consumption. So, how many planets would your consumption take?
