Dr. Reed's visit

After listening to Dr. Reed speak about FGCI, I am really going to try to reduce my own carbon footprint. I think the FGCI is a great idea and I am so glad that someone here at UF took the initiative to put the organization into play. Until recently, I had no idea about all the ways I can help out the environment by making simple changes in my daily routine. I also realized how many of the changes I have made in the past 4 months to reduce my carbon footprint, without even noticing it. Unconsciously, I have planned my trips to be more efficient by carpooling to practice each week, I walk to class and work daily, I have reduced my shower time, I turn off lights more frequently, and I have been eating less fast-food, too. Now that I know how I can help out, I want to explain to others how easy it is and that it really is not a bother at all. On the other hand, I do have one really bad habit, which is drinking bottled water on a daily basis. Each day, I drink at least 2 bottles of water, if not more. When I first began drinking bottled water, I had no idea of the harm they can do to our environment but now that I am aware, I am going to try to reduce, if not quit all together.

Overall, I feel the FGCI fits with our themes from class because both have to do with saving energy and learning to take better care of our environment. So far, the first theme was about the use of oil and the FGCI is a huge advocate for trying to reduce oil use. Also, we are now talking about obsolescence and the FGCI are trying very hard to make such items as unnecessary electricity use, bottled water, and trash obsolete. I think the FGCI is a great fit for the themes of our class and feel like we are talking about a lot of the same issues. In the end, I greatly appreciated Dr. Reed coming in to speak with our class because there are a lot of ways I can get involved with this “green movement” on campus that I did not know about before.