What's my impact on biodiversity? This is a test to help determine your impact on the natural environment and suggest ways to help you make better decisions for biodiversity. The quiz should take about 5 minutes, and will give you an "eco-rating" as well as an idea of how you scored in relation to others who have taken the test. Have fun!
Am I mindful of how I define materials and resources as waste? Do I consider what happens to the resources I treat as waste? Do I dispose of those resources in ways that are regenerative,or at least that do no harm?
1) In my home I recycle:
newspaper
paper sacks and plastic bags
mixed paper
aluminum cans
aluminum foil, pans
tin cans
glass bottles & jars
food scraps (compost)
household batteries
plastics (e.g. milk & soda bottles)
egg cartons
used clothes, furniture, appliances
2) To reduce use of virgin materials, I:
use recycled paper and paper with high post-consumer waste (PCW) content
purchase new goods made from recycled materials
take my own canvas, string or recycled bags to the grocery store
repair, re-use things, instead of throwing away or replacing them
reduce junk mail-order catalogues by calling their toll-free 800 phone number and having my name removed from their mailing lists
3) In my home, to reduce pollution, I:
dispose of toxic substances (e.g. paint thinner, cleansers, poisons, batteries) only on designated days or places, not in the trash or down the drain
use phosphate-free soaps and detergents
limit or eliminate use of household pesticides
clean windows with vinegar and water rather than chemicals
buy few commercial toxic materials
avoid asbestos
avoid formaldehyde products
As I purchase material goods am I mindful of the extent to which I consume the earth's resources?
4) When I am shopping, I:
decline excess packaging and bagging from merchants
cut back on disposable products, especially plastics and styrofoam
buy durable products, keep them longer
check for the EnergyStar label rating on appliances, consumer electronics, computer equipment, and lights (compact fluorescent lamps)
avoid products from endangered animal species, or purchasing exotic pets
read labels and buy least toxic products
avoid purchasing trivial or unnecessary toys, gadgets
think of disposal impact at the time of purchase
speak to merchants, write manufacturers about effects of excess packaging on landfills
encourage others to adopt environmentally sound habits
5) To support activities that care for the earth, I:
seek and patronize local organic farmers, gardeners
choose clothing made from natural fibers
buy food and products that do not contain chemical additives
grow some of my own food as "organically" as possible
6) For soil conservation and minimalizing my impact on biodiversity, I eat low on the food chain by:
maintaining a vegetarian or vegan diet (if yes, skip to question # 7)
eating more grains, legumes (beans), fruits and vegetables, and less meat
avoid eating fish that are over-harvested or at-risk of endangerment
Do I try to avoid destruction of the environment and depletion of the earth's resources by conserving energy and relying on renewable forms of energy?
7) In my home, to conserve energy I:
have adequate insulation and EnergyStar-labeled windows (or in apartments and rental housing have asked the owner to install it)
keep the thermostat from 65 to 70 (or less) in cold weather
wear warm enough clothing for the above
do not waste energy through open doors and windows
seal air leaks with caulking and weather-stripping
set the hot water heater at 120 degrees
install a high-efficiency showerhead, faucet aerators, and toilets
use cold water cycles for laundry
keep the house thermostat between 74 and 82 in hot weather
avoid air conditioning by installing ceiling fans or using portable fans
avoid unnecessary electrical tools, gadgets
use high-efficiency, Energy-Star-labeled electrical appliances
cook more with an (EnergyStar) microwave, less with the inefficient oven or stove
use electricity smartly (and sparingly)
have free or low cost energy audit from the local utility company
lower thermostat 1 degree per hour we're asleep or away
turn down the heat, turn off water heater before leaving on vacations
have solar hot water heater
use clothesline to dry clothes instead of a dryer
have solar collectors
use passive solar heating (e.g. large double glass windows; heavy curtains for night; extra insulation)
8) In my transportation, I:
do not own a car (if yes, skip to question # 9)
have only 1 car shared between multiple family members
have low-horsepower, high-miles-per-gallon car
maintain efficient exhaust emissions control
keep the car tuned up and tires properly filled with air
carpool whenever possible
walk or ride a bicycle for short trips
use public transportation
consolidate or combine car trips during the week, and eliminate unnecessary trips
recycle used motor oil and used tires
Do I respect the life of all living things, the order of nature, the wildness of wilderness, the richness of the world?
9) To cultivate a diverse habitat for other species, in my yard, I:
do not have a backyard (if yes, skip to question # 10)(worth 4 points)
put up birdhouses and a birdbath, and bat houses
plant native shrubs and trees that give food and shelter to birds, squirrels, rabbits
have a compost pile and operate it well
pull weeds instead of using herbicides
grow indigenous plants that require minimal fertilizer or watering
learn natural insect controls to avoid pesticides
use trees for cooling, and shrubs for insulating the house
10) In my recreation, I:
seek opportunities to spend time outdoors, in natural spaces, in parks
enjoy walking and observing
canoe or swim instead of water or jet ski
cross country ski instead of snowmobile
use tent, sleeping bags instead of motor home, trailer
don't pick wildflowers or collect protected plants
don't litter, or throw cans, bottles, junk in lakes or streams
carry reusable cups and dishes
In my work, do I integrate a concern for the environment into my goals and actions, seeking ways to share with others the values and importance of environmental concerns?
11) At my workplace, I:
participate in recycling programs for computer paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, etc.
take actions that reduce waste of materials
reduce junk mail-order catalogues by calling their toll-free 800 phone number and having my company¹s name removed from their mailing lists
re-use office supplies when possible (envelopes, file folders, etc.)
print or copy both sides of paper (duplexing)
use un-clorinated, post-consumer use recycled paper
use alternatives to disposable cups, encourage people to use their own mugs and plates
use the stairs, rather than the elevators, when feasible
Am I mindful that effective efforts to heal the earth will call for the participation and involvement of people on a local, regional, national and global level, and of the role that government legislation and actions can play in fostering or hindering those efforts?
12) To be effective in the political arena, I:
keep myself well-informed about environmental issues
locally
in my state or region
nationally
globally
am aware of the pending legislative issues
in my local council
in the state legislature
in Federal Congress
vote environmentally
lobby and pressure for environmental protection:
local council members
state legislators
Federal Senators, Representatives, and the White House
sign up to receive email alerts for action on important environmental issues.
