, SUS1501
ASSIGNMENT 7 SEMESTER 2
2026
DUE 14 SEPTEMBER 2026
ASSESSMENT 07: SUSTAINABILITY?
Part A: My Ecological Footprint and Its Implications
To begin this assessment, I used the Ecological Footprint calculator provided by the Global
Footprint Network (2020) to estimate my personal demand on the planet’s resources. The result
was somewhat confronting: if everyone on Earth lived like me, we would require approximately 3.9
Earths to sustain our lifestyle. This figure is primarily driven by my high consumption of
animal-based products, frequent use of a private vehicle for commuting, and a higher-than-average
energy consumption for heating and cooling my home. While I considered myself relatively aware
of environmental issues, seeing this stark numerical representation of my impact has shifted my
perception from abstract concern to a personal realisation of my direct contribution to ecological
overshoot.
My feelings regarding this footprint are a mixture of guilt and determination. The statement in the
"Sustainability?" section that we need a social transformation on a scale comparable to the
agricultural or industrial revolutions (Course Reader, 2023) resonates deeply with me. It is
disheartening to acknowledge that individual actions, which I had previously thought of as "green,"
are dwarfed by the sheer magnitude of my lifestyle’s resource demands. However, this anxiety is
coupled with a sense of resolve. Understanding that my footprint is not just a statistic but a
tangible measure of my lifestyle’s unsustainability forces me to acknowledge my complicity in a
global crisis, making it impossible to remain a passive observer.
Part B: Critical Reflection on Virtue Ethics (Assessment 06)
In Assessment 06, my response to the question "So where do I fit in in this?" regarding species
preservation was largely framed around a virtue ethics perspective. I argued that my role was that
of a responsible steward, and that my arête (excellence or virtue) was demonstrated through a
sense of duty, compassion, and a commitment to making ethical consumer choices. I believed that
by cultivating virtues like empathy and responsibility, I could contribute positively to environmental
protection. My answer was essentially about my intention to be a good person in relation to
nature.
ASSIGNMENT 7 SEMESTER 2
2026
DUE 14 SEPTEMBER 2026
ASSESSMENT 07: SUSTAINABILITY?
Part A: My Ecological Footprint and Its Implications
To begin this assessment, I used the Ecological Footprint calculator provided by the Global
Footprint Network (2020) to estimate my personal demand on the planet’s resources. The result
was somewhat confronting: if everyone on Earth lived like me, we would require approximately 3.9
Earths to sustain our lifestyle. This figure is primarily driven by my high consumption of
animal-based products, frequent use of a private vehicle for commuting, and a higher-than-average
energy consumption for heating and cooling my home. While I considered myself relatively aware
of environmental issues, seeing this stark numerical representation of my impact has shifted my
perception from abstract concern to a personal realisation of my direct contribution to ecological
overshoot.
My feelings regarding this footprint are a mixture of guilt and determination. The statement in the
"Sustainability?" section that we need a social transformation on a scale comparable to the
agricultural or industrial revolutions (Course Reader, 2023) resonates deeply with me. It is
disheartening to acknowledge that individual actions, which I had previously thought of as "green,"
are dwarfed by the sheer magnitude of my lifestyle’s resource demands. However, this anxiety is
coupled with a sense of resolve. Understanding that my footprint is not just a statistic but a
tangible measure of my lifestyle’s unsustainability forces me to acknowledge my complicity in a
global crisis, making it impossible to remain a passive observer.
Part B: Critical Reflection on Virtue Ethics (Assessment 06)
In Assessment 06, my response to the question "So where do I fit in in this?" regarding species
preservation was largely framed around a virtue ethics perspective. I argued that my role was that
of a responsible steward, and that my arête (excellence or virtue) was demonstrated through a
sense of duty, compassion, and a commitment to making ethical consumer choices. I believed that
by cultivating virtues like empathy and responsibility, I could contribute positively to environmental
protection. My answer was essentially about my intention to be a good person in relation to
nature.
