Ecuador’s Ministry of the Environment has a tool that helps measure the ecological footprint. Simple food or shopping changes make a difference.
If a couple in Ecuador consumed, on average, five glasses of milk, two of yogurt, five portions of cheese, five pieces of chicken, one steak of meat, one of fish, a can of tuna, root vegetables, legumes, fruits and rice In five days, use a tank of gas per month, pay for electricity $ 20 per month, take public transport and use between 2 and 3 reams of paper a year, your annual ecological footprint would be 0.8 global hectares (hag), for below the national average 1.65 (hag) and the world average (2.87).
However, if this same example increases the consumption of meat to three steaks and milk to seven glasses, the value of electricity to $ 40, plus the use of a private gasoline vehicle (super), the ecological footprint it shoots at 2.46 hag.
To know the personal or family value of this indicator, the Ministry of the Environment (Maate) has, since 2013, the Ecological Footprint Calculator. The “ecological footprint” concept arises as an indicator of sustainability to measure the impact that our way of life has on nature. It is measured in global hectare.
At the beginning of each year, most Ecuadorians define purposes that include saving money, buying a good or studying. All these goals are valid, but what if we also set the goal of caring for the planet? EL UNIVERSO has unified criteria from the United Nations, Global Footprint Network, Maate and the local organization Mingas by the Sea to bring together five measures that will help people reduce their ecological footprint by 2022.
1. Responsible eating
Replacing beef with beans, for example, represents a 0.16 hag reduction in the ecological footprint. If you don’t like grains, you can switch to chicken, fish, or pork.
In addition, it is advised to consume locally produced food. Imported products increase the footprint by 0.21 hag, as more fuel is spent to get them to the table. Likewise, you should buy seasonal fruits and reduce the consumption of processed foods, since a lot of water is used for their preparation.
2. Power consumption
Over a year, the footprint can be reduced by 0.24 hag if energy-saving light bulbs or LEDs are located in the house. When using electronic devices such as a computer, cell phone, tablets, etc., in energy saving mode the footprint will be 0.021 less. Devices that are not being used must be unplugged. Buy appliances that are designed to consume less energy, with green labels.
3. Fuels
In one year, 0.75 hag of the ecological footprint can be reduced by using public transport instead of a private vehicle. In addition, it is recommended to use the bicycle at least once a week to go to work or visit a family member, this will reduce 0.11 hag. You should prefer electric or induction cookers to gas cookers.
4. Think before you buy
Avoid disposable or single-use products, especially plastic covers or bottles and straws. Acquire liquid products with returnable or reusable containers. In Ecuador there are initiatives that focus on refill of cleaning products, for example. Prefer packaging that can be recycled.
5. Save water
An Ecuadorian uses an average of 249 liters of water per day. This figure is higher than the 100 liters recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). That is why both the Maate and the WHO promote the saving of liquid. It is advisable to place a plastic bottle filled with water inside each of the toilets. This will save 30 liters of water per day. Do not leave the tap open when brushing your teeth. With this, up to 60 liters of water are not wasted daily. Five minute showers are recommended.
Immediately repair any leaks in faucets, toilets, showers, cisterns, and worn-out faucet gaskets. Interagua indicates that poorly closed taps waste between 9,000 and 18,000 liters of water a month, that is, $ 17. While a toilet with a damaged frog wastes 49,000 liters, about $ 45 per month. (I)
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