As The Clock Skips A Tick.

Why is the Earth in Ecological Overdraft?

The reason to this is in fact very simple. The Earth uses more than what is given to them. The definition of Ecological Overdraft is the point at which human consumption exceeds the ability of earth to sustain it. I guess in a way we all contribute towards this "Overdraft" however after reading the article World Moves Into The Ecological Red I began to realize how much the United States is contributing towards Global Warming hence the Ecological Overdraft and the statistics are simply shocking. One statement that really worried me was " If everyone in the world had the same consumption rates as in the United States it would take 5.3 planet earths to support them". Anyone will agree that this is quite scary and what makes it worse is the fact that a lot of countries are starting to act like America and if this happens our clock would not only skip one tick but maybe a few at a time. However on a brighter note countries such as China are using coal-fired power station it would only take 0.9 of a planet opposed to 5.3 by the USA. I found this article extremely interesting as it shows us it's not too late to create a change in this world and the fact that we need a change. I think what seperated this article from the many I read before were the very strong facts and numbers which really made an impact. I admit I like many others will find it hard to cut down on my bad habits which may contribute towards the Ecological Overdraft but I think it's the factories, army's, etc. that need to make the real change. I strongly believe that people should read this article because it had an affect on me and I am not the most environmentally loving/caring person out there. I think that this article is a realiable sources because all the information is given by the New Economics Foundation and while researching I came across many more articles too by the NEF proving that it is quite reliable if not they won't be used this frequently. The URL of this website is http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL04722887.

What in my opinion is the Carbon Footprint?

If I am to answer this question with no research at all these would be my thoughts and opinions. I think the Carbon Footprint is a metaphor and a symbol to an extent. We all pollute! it's a known fact. Whether it is through vehicles, factories, etc. we all do it.. due to this we all contribute towards Global Warming. So what I think the Carbon Footprint really means is the fact that we are all printing behind our footprint and leaving a scar behind as the world start to come to an end due to Global Warming.

However what is the real definition of Carbon Footprint?

"A Carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases produced in our day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation etc."

"A carbon footprint is a measurement of all the greenhouse gases we individually produce and has units of tonnes (or kg) of carbon dioxide equivalent"

The article I found more interesting was definitely the article was the Ecological Overdraft. Although the Article on the Carbon footprint was interesting too and even though they were both done by Simms, I had never really researched about the Ecological Overdraft which was something new to me. In addition I like the fact that a lot of solid facts and figures were given about the situation instead of just writing.

http://www.carbonfootprint.com/carbonfootprint.html - This site is about the Carbon Footprint and I think this site is VERY interesting. This is because the first thing we see is a Pie Chart showing how an individual pollutes and in the end you can calculate your carbon footprint. I think this site is particularly good as it doesn't give you the boring facts but rather a reality check to ourselves depicting how each of us are destroying this world.

The 11th Hour.

If I am being honest, I thought this movie was quite cliche.. Sure it was insightful, etc. but it was nothing we hadn't seen before. The 11th Hour featured the gorgeous Leonardo De Caprio warning us of the damage we are causing to the enviroment and ways to prevent it. What I realized whilst watching this movie is there is no point in sitting back and talking about what we are doing to this world, because much of the damage has already been done and we are not entirely to blame. Factories, industries and vehicles pollute this environment plenty. At the same time, most us depend on such violators for our daily lifestyles and needs. My feelings towards Global Warming is that too much damage has already been done and most of us are selfish and unwilling to change our comfortable lifestyle in order to prevent it or at the very least minimize it; I know I am. Due to this reason I think scientists should start coming up with solutions on how to deal the floods, droughts, landslides, etc. so that lives can be saved without merely trying to blame the environment for it.. That I believe is what the 12th Hour should be about.... if in fact there is going to be such a movie.

Baraka - A World Beyond Words

This movie is a series of images and clips showing us the real world. It commences with water and the natural side of this world then slowly moves on to the religious and traditional aspects of this world. We then are shown the unnatural, man made, "destructive" side of earth. This film may seem somewhat pointless at first however when you really start to think about it and analyze it you realize that it has a very deep and powerful message within. To me what this film interpreted were the different contrasts in this world yet showing all these contrasts are interconnected. For example from the ancient religious rituals to the buzzing city life, from following a geisha to Kabuki dancers or the shot of an elaborate tattoo with one of tribal paint. It tries to show us how this world has changed from simple to complex yet putting into context that we are still ONE. This world is one, regardless of the different lifestyles we may all go through. A proffesor named Gothnburg made this statement about Baraka which I believe is very accurate; Baraka is claiming earth as one organism made by many systems that are so different yet they work together in order for it to progress and we can compare the people crossing the zebra crossings to the blood that flows through this organism. Earth is made up of many different cultures, traditions, factories, people yet we are all interconnected through one another as this movie showed. I also got the notion that the place we begin a journey from is generally where we end it.