Republic of the Philippines
Leyte Normal University
College of Arts and Sciences
Social Work Department
P. Paterno St., Tacloban City
A Reflection Paper entitled
Reflection: Carbon Footprint Minimization
Submitted
In Fulfillment to the Subject
Science Technology and Society
A.Y. 2022-2023
Presented by
De la Cruz, Diane F.
Gamalo, Sheryn B.
Castillo, Zharina O.
AS2-2
Submitted to
Mrs. Rutchelle Enriquez-Caliwan
Professor/ Instructor
December 2022
REFLECTION: CARBON FOOTPRINT MINIMIZATION
This activity was very relevant and significant to us. From all the changes that has
been happening here and there, this activity helped us pause and reflect on our ways of
protecting the environment. Our one-month journal helped us keep tabs on our carbon
footprint and be conscious about our consumption of resources. We emit carbon dioxide
on a regular basis. We utilize tools that contribute to the carbon footprint emission. With
the worldwide consumption of carbon dioxide, it is undeniable that the environmental
problems that come along with it is rapidly increasing. However, we can do something
about it. In our own little and consistent ways, our efforts in trying to minimize the carbon
footprint will go a long way and will eventually pay off.
As per textbook definition, Selin (2022) defines carbon footprint as the amount
of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with all the activities of a person or
other entity (e.g., building, corporation, country, etc.). It includes direct emissions, such
as those that result from fossil-fuel combustion in manufacturing, heating,
and transportation, as well as emissions required to produce the electricity associated
with goods and services consumed. In addition, the carbon footprint concept also often
includes the emissions of other greenhouse gases, such as methane, nitrous oxide,
or chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
The harmful effects of too much carbon consumption do not appear overnight. It is
not something that is noticeable and felt in a short time. The aftermath takes a gradual
pace. Some of its most common negative impacts is the human-induced climate change.
Storms have become stronger and more destructive overtime. It is also one of the main
causes of pollutions. It contributes to coastal and ocean acidification, and it worsens the
melting of glaciers and polar ice. Our globe is changing due to climate change, which also
significantly affects food output, disturbs animal habitats, and causes extreme weather
events like tropical storms, wildfires, severe droughts, and heat waves. Understanding
how carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions affect the environment is crucial
because they are the primary source of global warming and subsequently, climate
change. After all, how can we alter our behavior and preserve the planet if we do not
comprehend the effects of carbon emissions? Let us educate ourselves.
We believe people are aware of the alarming problems that are rising. It is just that
no one has the initiative to start. Having said all of that, we can actually do something to
reduce carbon emission. Some people would think that what can we ever do about the
overwhelming environmental problems. That we would not make that much difference.
They may be correct but individual and regular efforts should not be underestimated and
overlooked. Imagine saving money for a concert ticket of your favorite artist.
Every penny that will be saved will eventually become just about the exact amount
of money that you will need to buy a ticket. The same thing could be said to reduction of
carbon emission. We start on our little ways, we become consistent, we influence other
people and then without us knowing, all of our collaborative efforts will pay off afterwards.
It always starts somewhere. It always starts with us. We become catalysts for change.
Moreover, some of these ways to reduce carbon emission could be even done at home.
Not only will it help save the environment, but it will also make our lifestyle become
healthier. It will help us conserve and save some energy.
People emit carbon dioxide on a regular basis. The simple trips we do daily using
vehicles contributes largely to the amount of carbon dioxide being emitted to the air. They
may be small things but when done regularly can be alarming in the long run. It may be
small things but when done regularly and habitually, time will come that the hazardous
effects of our own doings will be irreversible, and it will be too late for us to do something
about it.
A person's total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
that are created to directly and indirectly support their
lifestyle and activities are referred to as their "carbon
footprint." A person, an organization, a product, or an event,
among others, may have a carbon footprint that is quantified
in equivalent tons of CO2 over the course of a year. Not a
long time ago, there was a huge fuss created by our
scientists. They claimed that we only have several years to
deal with the problem regarding the carbon footprint not just
of the individuals but the bigger companies and
organizations which are the major contributors of the carbon 1. Walking to run errands
dioxide emission. instead.
The 2nd picture is one of the many changes that
I (Sheryn) did to lessen my carbon footprint. I used
to buy things and even if there were a few items only,
I would always ask for a plastic bag to which I found
out that was wrong later on. Plastics have a
significant carbon footprint and emit 3.4% of global
greenhouse gas emissions. Just imagine the amount
of carbon footprint plastic would accumulate in a
2. Buying groceries without putting year if used daily.
them in a plastic bag.
The most basic of all yet the most ignored is
conserving energy. It is not much but if we do not
consume unnecessary energy, it will really go a long way.
As an individual, I cannot do big things that will create an
immediate impact on the environment, but I know I can
do something on my own little way and one of them is
turning off lights and any electric appliances when they
are not being used. Not only will it lessen the carbon
footprint consumed, but it will lessen the electric bill my
family pays monthly. It is a win-win situation.
3. Turning off lights when not used.
Measuring my carbon footprint was both a lesson and
a real lifesaver. I (Diane) never knew most parts of my
daily routine contributed a large amount to my carbon
footprint. I listed my habits which contributed to my
carbon footprint and toke note of it throughout a
month of journaling. These habits made me conscious
of how I consume resources most especially water
and electricity. As to taking long baths, I enjoy
cleaning myself, but when I started journaling, I timed
myself one time and found out I spent 10-15 minutes
in the bathroom which is equivalent to 150-200 liters
of water, which is somehow alarming, so I decided to
really change this habit. Whereas my issues on
Day 1 of Journaling: List of my habits
which greatly contributed to my walking, I have weak knees. But through this activity,
carbon footprint and in hopes that I would really change my habits and
help minimize my carbon footprint, I now do brisk
walking every 3-4 days in a week. Walk when asked to run errands and sometimes jog
when I’m able to wake up early. This activity really became a catharsis for me.
As for eating meat, most of the time we eat chicken and fish meat because we
have 3 cats and 2 dogs. We don’t give them leftovers but rather we allot a portion of our
meals with them, hence we consume more meat than vegetables. However, with this
activity, I then again realized that meat consumption has a great contribution to my and
my family’s carbon footprint, which is why I also introduced this activity to them and
fortunately my mother thought of an idea to grind vegetables and mix them half the usual
total meat serving we give to our pets. Now every week, from consuming a combined 6-
8 kilos of fish and chicken meat, we now consume an average of 5.5 kilos of fish and
chicken meat a week and still are aiming to lessen these also given the fact that my
parents also have health conditions.
Now undeniably, I’m sure I’m not the only one who
use phone every day. But in minimizing my carbon footprint,
I have learned that an average person should only have an
average 2 hours of screen time daily (Heid, 2019). But as
for me, shockingly I spend a whooping 9 hours of screen
time every day. Which is why in order to lessen this, goof
thing my phone has this feature; the Jovi Smart Scene
which helps regulate screen time when activated. So I
activated this feature on my phone and set a setting that I
should only use my phone 5 hours a day, but I thought to
myself this is still a big number which is why I noted on my Day 1 of Journaling: List of my
last day of journaling a daily reminder of changing these habits which greatly contributed
to my carbon footprint
negative habits.
I (Zharina) kept a personal journal on how I reduced
my carbon footprint from November 5 to December 3 of year
2022. One of the ways I reduced my carbon footprint was to
walk and use the bus. We may have a car in our family, but I
much prefer to walk, especially if it's only a short distance, or
take public transportation. Walking helps us maintain a
healthy weight, builds our bones and muscles, boosts our
energy levels, and does much more to benefit our health than
just lowering our carbon footprint. Taking public transportation
does not only help us reduce our carbon footprint, it also
improves our environment by decreasing traffic in cities and
town. Additionally, it is less expensive than driving your own
vehicle, particularly if the destination is close by and you won't
need to purchase pricey petrol.
Buying used clothing is another thing I do to lessen
my carbon footprint. I typically get my clothing from "ukay-
ukay," where a variety of affordable, high-quality dry goods
can be purchased. It is actually my personal preference to
purchase clothing from this store since, in contrast to
purchasing one item for 800 pesos in a branded store, I
could get five or more items if I spent the money in thrift
stores. Not only do I buy used clothing, but I also usually
sell my own preloved used clothing for a discount if I feel
like I have too many items and my drawers no longer fit
them. If I buy new clothes from a thrift store along with my
old ones, it's like I'm recycling my wardrobe.
In conclusion, this activity has been truly helpful for us. Not only it helped us gain
awareness as to how carbon emission takes places in even simplest habits, but also the
importance of being able to measure and thereafter minimize your carbon footprint. All in
all, we learned ignorance is just and will always be an alibi, because carbon footprints
serve as evidence that everyone has a counterpart on tackling issues affecting our
environment, most especially climate change.
SHERYN B. GAMALO
BEFORE
AFTER
DIANE F. DE LA CRUZ
BEFORE AFTER
ZHARINA B. CASTILLO
BEFORE AFTER
References:
Selin, N. (2022). Carbon footprint ecology and conservation.
https://www.britannica.com/science/carbon-footprint
What is a carbon footprint? A carbon footprint definition. (n.d.).
https://youmatter.world/en/definition/definitions-carbon-footprint/
Plastic leakage and greenhouse gas emissions are increasing. (n.d.).
https://www.oecd.org/environment/plastics/increased-plastic-leakage-and
greenhousegasemissions.htm#:~:text=Throughout%20their%20lifecycle%2C%20plastic
s%20have,to%20global%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions
Climate change & the carbon footprint. (n.d.) Retrieved from
https://www.footprintnetwork.org/our-work/climate-change/
Experts Say 'How Much' Is the Wrong Way to Assess Screen Time. (2019, May 29). Heid,
M.
https://time.com/5592329/experts-say-how-much-is-the-wrong-way-to-assess-
screen-time/
