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Environmental Lifestyle Assignment RTM 251 - Introduction to Recreation and the Natural Environment |
Environmental Life-style Audit: The assignment will require you to keep a journal of your behavior as it relates to issues of energy consumption and cycles, and environmental impact. The project will be done by the third week of class. This assignment requires you to 'take a few notes' as you progress through a normal 2 day period of everyday life (10% of grade)
ENVIRONMENTAL LIFE-STYLE AUDIT
Introduction:
Life on this planet:
In order to live on this planet one consumes natural resources. When we live on this planet everything we do has an impact. The question is what impacts do we make not whether or not we have an impact. One can walk soft and gentle or with a heavy and violent footprint. The purpose of this exercise is to begin to develop an awareness of our roles as consumers within our ecosystem.
Life is extremely complex. Decision making is part of that complexity. Decisions provide for us the opportunity to direct our lives. A series of personal decisions are what create life-styles. To live with intentionality requires that we understand our decisions. The first step toward an intentional life-style about the environment is to realize what decisions face us each day and the choices which we make regarding our impact while on the earth.
You can not throw anything away. The system in which we live is essentially a closed system containing a finite set of resources. You may move a substance or a problem from one place to another but you cannot remove it from the system. We need to become aware of the cycles of things we touch and use.
Choose a 48 hours period (one can choose a leisure weekend or perhaps two 'work days' or one followed by the other - just make it one 48 hour period). During this time you need to keep a close AEYE@ on yourself and keep a log of most of your activities. You might best think of it as a game (at least try to make it fun). The three games are called: the COMINGS AND GOINGS GAME; the ENERGY CONSUMPTION GAME; and the SNOWFLAKE GAME.
Each of the games is explained on one of the sheets below (PDF file) and you should complete each game log per the directions. The game logs do not need to be typed (assuming I can read your hand writing.)
You also need to type up a one page summary of your reactions, conclusions, or reflections on the value of this exercise.
The assignment will be due at the date given in assignments page. Submit the worksheets as well as the one page summary reflection to the instructor. alan.wright@csun.edu
Technical footnote: if you print out copies of the PDF files to complete your logs by hand, how do you submit them to the instructor. Here are three options: first you might have a scanner and you could scan your logs and send them to me as a file. Second you take the extra step and type up the logs in the word versions of these logs and attach them as files to an email. If you live/work with your computer then you can enter your 'activities' directly into the word documents and save the step of first doing logs in pencil and paper format. Third, you could fax the hand written logs to the department (least preferred) at 818-677-2695. The fax would need a cover directing the fax to Dr. Al Wright. Please remember the general rules for submitting assignments.
Energy Consumption Game (PDF with instructions) Energy Consumption Game (Word doc/ log only)
Coming and Going Game (PDF with instructions) Coming and Going Game (Word doc/ log only)
Snowflake Game (PDF with instructions) Snowflake Game (Word doc/ log only)