The Other Footprint
No doubt you have all encountered the term “carbon footprint” and been asked to fill out surveys, questionnaire’s and quizzes to determine just how much you have befouled our planet’s atmosphere. Well not surprisingly there is more than just one environmental “footprint” that has to be monitored and cared for.
And while the mark we leave upon the environment by adding to it, through our increased carbon emissions, is increasingly important and, sadly, dire, what we take away from the environment is just as crucial.
You know, I really tried! My editor asked me to make sure that I wasn’t too negative or pessimistic, and I tried for a whole week. But it all come crashing down on me this past Saturday, and there is nothing to do at the moment then to revert to my natural disposition.
Every Saturday morning, hundreds of thousands of people around the country get up before dawn and jump into their cars for a several hour drive to their nearest wild place. Once there they recreate, rejuvenate, enjoy the wonders of the wild before returning to their homes in time for dinner. The collective carbon output of those enjoying the outdoors is well documented (see: 