According to the above saying, leaving nothing but footprints implies a harmless visit to a site. However, today there is much talk about reducing one's ecological footprint.

Ecological footprints, unlike the non-destructive footprint alluded into the above quote, represent how an individual adversely affects the environment. It encompasses everything from what you drive to what you eat - each of which involves resource depletion and waste production to some extent.

All these actions which make up our "footprint" involve energy. Therefore, reducing the amount of energy you consume is one of the most effective ways of reducing your carbon footprint.

Not only individuals have foot prints. Homes, schools, businesses, and organizations each have their own footprint. Across the nation, college campuses are interested in reducing their carbon footprint. High school students can help their school's footprint, too.

Terms to Know

Ecological Footprint - A metaphor that is used to describe the land, water, and other resources an individual, society, or structure to sustain its current lifestyle. According to Wikipedia, the term was first coined in 1992 by Canadian ecologist and professor at the University of British Columbia, William Rees.

Carbon Footprint - A metaphor used to describe the amount of carbon dioxide or CO2 an individual, society, or structure emits through the combustion of fossil fuels.

Classroom Ideas

Guest Speakers and Field Trips

1. Have someone who lives in a solar-powered home come speak to the class (or have the class visit their homes). Encourage students and their parents to participate in the Solar Tour of Homes which takes place the first weekend in October: www.the-mrea.org/events_solartour.php

Click here to find contacts for guest speakers and field trip ideas in your area.

Sample Academic Standards Addressed:

Environmental Education E.12.1. Articulate their personal beliefs regarding their relationship to the environment.

Environmental Education D.12.6 Identify and analyze examples of the influences and beliefs on environmental decisions

Activities and Lessons

1. Contact the Focus on Energy Web site Schools Program and find out if your school has received an energy audit. www.focusonenergy.com/page.jsp?pageId=243&. This program also has benchmarked a number of schools throughout Wisconsin. If your school is part of this initiative you can find out how your school compares to the state average for school energy consumption.

Sample Academic Standards Addressed:

Technology Education B.12.8 Select resources for specific applications, apply appropriate processes to transform them into useful products and services, evaluate the end results, and make modifications as necessary.

Student Projects

1. Invite students to calculate their personal ecological footprint using an online calculator such as those listed in the Web site section below. They can then evaluate their school's footprint. Have them develop a prescription for reducing their footprints.

Sample Academic Standards Addressed:

Science G.12.5 Choose a specific problem in our society, identify alternative scientific or technological solutions to that problem and argue it merits

Family and Consumer Education A.2 (advanced): Analyze the personal and social significance of a family-related concern, such as what should be done to . . . make informed choices about consumer practices and products

2. Involve students in helping to reduce carbon emissions in their community by participating in KEEP's Bright Idea Fundraiser. Through this project, students sell energy efficient light bulbs to raise money for a school project or club. www.uwsp.edu/cnr/wcee/keep/StudentInvolvement/#Fundraiser

Sample Academic Standards Addressed:

Environmental Education G.12.5 Demonstrate the skills to engage in consumer actions that can impact an environmental issue

3. Involve students in an Energy Issue Investigation and Action Project.

4. Have students make a Science Fair presentation about their research.

Support Materials

Web sites

Examples of calculators and footprint assessments:

Earthday.net: www.earthday.net/footprint/quiz.asp

Climate Change Emission Calculator Kit www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/school.html

Redefining Progress footprint: www.rprogress.org/newprojects/ecolFoot.shtml

Gas companies have calculators, too. Check out BP Globals.

Other sites related to reducing energy consumption and living more sustainably:

www.energyaction.net/main/ Energy Action is a coalition of more than 30 organizations from across the US and Canada, founded and led by youth to help support and strengthen the student and youth clean energy movement in North America.

www.wispirgstudents.org/ For almost 30 years, students who have been involved with their WISPIRG campus chapter have not only learned how to investigate a problem and come up with a practical solution; they've also learned how to convince the media and decision-makers to pay attention and take action. WISPIRGP's Big Red, Go Green! Campaign at UW-Madison is working to reduce UW-Madison's energy use."

www.the-mrea.org The Midwest Renewable Energy Association includes a number of opportunities to learn about renewable energy and sustainable living.

www.renewwisconsin.org/ is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Madison, promotes clean energy strategies for powering the state's economy in an environmentally responsible manner.

www.ucsusa.org The Union of Concerned Scientists is dedicated to advancing responsible public policies in areas where science and technology play a critical role. Established in 1969, UCS has created a unique alliance between many of the nation's leading scientists and thousands of committed citizens. This partnership addresses the most serious environmental and security threats facing humanity.

www.weccusa.org Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation (WECC) is a national leader in the application of energy efficiency for utilities, consumer and environmental groups, and regulatory agencies. WECC's mission is to provide customers with high-quality, valuable, and affordable opportunities to receive benefits from energy efficiency.

www.mosesorganic.org MOSES is a non-profit 501(c)3 education-outreach organization working to promote sustainable and organic agriculture. We provide resources and offer a variety of programs to assist farmers, agricultural educators, organizations and others requesting information. We also organize the annual Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference and Organic University, which will take place February 23-25, 2006, at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin.