BASIC DOSSIER

Individual Assesment Geocultural Challenges of Globalization

Tim Hendrik Mohr | A01762438

What were the results of the footprint calculator exercise ?

1. Consumption habits

2. Main discoveries

The two activites that most increased my ecological footprint were frequent flying, as I am an international student and travel a lot currently, and high consumption of meat.

Although I thought I lived comparably environmentally friendly by not having a car, I am surprised how much negative impact I have on the climate

For transport I mostly walk or use bicycles, while I occasionaly take public transport. I share an uber with friends about two times a week. I do not even own a drivers license, as it is not necessary in my hometown, unfortunately, living in Monterrey distances are long and can sometimes only be overcome by taking a car. This year, I flew a lot between the Americas and Europe in order to visit my family. This has resulted in me reaching my overshoot day already on the 2. March, meaning that if everyone would live like me we would need 5.9 earths.

4. Other impacts (beside ecological)

3. How will I downsize

This year has been a great exception for me in terms of airtravel, which I have enjoyed extremely so far, without taking my increased effect on the environment into account. For the future, I will consider travelling by bus within Mexico, only taking transatlantic flights when necessary, as opposed to when I can afford them

Although I try not to consume unethically sourced, cheaply produced products like fast fashion, I am aware that even higher tier brands like Apple or Hugo Boss produce their products under cruel conditions to increase their profits. Unfortunately, consuming these products is not 100% avoidable

What were the results of the slavery footprint calculator exercise ?

1. Consumption habits

2. Main discoveries

I only own one suitcase full of clothes, as I donated all my remaining wardrobe when I first left Germany. In addition, I only own a phone, a laptop and headphones in Mexico, although I do have many electronics that I do not use anymore, and thus have left behind in Germany

Although I thought my lifestyle had little impact on modern slavery, I was once again proven wrong by the Slavery Footprint calculator.

Once again, I thought that by consuming very little compared to my peers, that I would have a minor impact on working conditions in less developed countries. I do not own a lot of clothes, hardly go shopping and do not own jewelry. However, according to the Slavery footprint, I still have twenty forced laborers working in the global south to support my lifestyle.

3. How will I downsize

After long reflections about how I can drive down my footprint even more, it dawned on me that I posess a lot of electronics which I do not use anymore. Would I donate these, the cobalt and gold could be recycled and used again, instead of being extracted by children and modern slaves to produce new iPhones.