Consumer Consequences is a cool interactive game designed by American Public Media. Players input their consumption patterns and watch to see the level of environmental impact they cause to the Earth based upon an ecological footprinting model developed by Redefining Progress. Scores correlate to how many Earths it would take if everyone on the planet lived just like players do.

The interactive game accompanies American Public Media and Marketplace’s radio series “Consumed,” which explores the impact Americans have on the environment. As the player answers questions, the game gives tidbits of information relating to diet, trash, transportation, energy use, and housing.

 

Not surprisingly, driving a car, flying, and general transportation weigh heavily into the equation. Many users are caught off guard by the impact their food choices have. Meat-eating is particularly offensive in terms of pollution, water wasted, fossil fuels used, and greenhouse gases generated.

I consider myself very environmentally aware, eat a vegetarian diet that’s predominantly local and/or organic, and of course minimize my car travel. The allotment that the earth can sustain is 4.5 acres per person for all types of consumption. According to Consumer Consequences, my tally, which is on the low end for an American, comes in at over double this (my score was 2.1 Earths – with an estimated four acres going just to my food!). Take the test and learn something about your lifestyle in the process.