Have you considered how birthdays could become a good time to make new year resolutions? Next week I celebrate another year here on planet earth. And I welcome the opportunity to review life, evaluate relationships, set goals, and reset directions. As I become less and less young, this process becomes more and more important.

This reflection process is important because it is a reminder of my responsibility to improve not only my life, but those around me including my family, friends, and colleagues. Thinking about legacy and contribution to community is a part of healthy aging.

As I continue my graduate studies in community ecopsychology, I find myself consciously wondering about what legacy I am leaving for my sons, nieces, nephews, second cousins, and future generations including the more-than-human-world. While currency is nice, if the environment is not able to support life on earth, a bunch of money will not make one bit of difference.

To make a difference, this year for my annual birthday review I completed an ecological footprint calculation. This calculation provided a sobering picture of over-consumption that if continued, will not leave a very healthy home for my future grandchildren. I need to reduce my footprint down from 1.7 earths.

So in honour of my birthday next week, I invite you to complete the following ecological footprint calculation. Then perhaps ask yourself, are there things I could realistically change? And please feel free to post your results!

How many planets does it take to support your lifestyle?

http://www.footprintnetwork.org/resources/footprint-calculator/