What's your Greendex?

National Geographic's Green Guide has a survey that you can fill out to find out your Greendex number.  You can then compare how environmentally friendly you are living, compared to people in 14 different countries.  Factors considered include energy use and conservation, transportation choices, food sources, the relative use of green products versus traditional products, attitudes towards the environment and sustainability, and knowledge of environmental issues.

http://event.nationalgeographic.com/greendex/calculator.html

I got a 68 which seems to be pretty good, above average for all countries.  Way above the US average of 44, which is the lowest among all countries surveyed.

Really interesting test - I got a 74. 

Being a short test - it has shortcomings.  For example - on driving - I usually ride into work via casual carpool.  IMO, this is definitely green - equally green as public transportation.  But does that mean I 'drive with others daily' ...

And - since I'm a renter - I know my stove is at least ca. 1983 (I saw one in a movie last night just like mine), and I know the refrigerator is not efficient -- and I don't use the electric dryer -- but I have no control over those issues.  I can't just replace the refrigerator since the landlord likely wouldn't pay me for it... how do you calculate those things?

Well all of these carbon footprint type calculations have their shortcomings.  To answer your last question, theoretically if you can't replace your apartment appliances, you could move to an apartment with newer ones.  I'm not saying you should, just that it would be a way to reduce your energy consumption in that respect.

Coincidentally, I wrote a wiki on carbon footprint calculations a while back.  They're always just rough estimates, and you try to get as accurate as you can with them.

I have to disagree with you a little Jenn- carpooling is awesome, but it's not as green as public transport.  According to Milwaukee’s public transport system, a bus with 6 people on it is as fuel efficient as a car with one person in it.  So, if the car has 4 people in it, the bus only needs 24 people to be equally efficient.  Buses can hold about 50 people.

Plus, the buses run whether you are on them or not.  Your car, however, will stay put without you. :)

As for your appliances- it may not be your choice to have older, less energy efficient appliances, but that's what you are using.  Therefore, you are stuck with their carbon footprint.

I am in an apartment too, and I know how frustrating it is- I look forward to the day we will get a house with energy star appliances.  Of course, the trade off will be living in less dense housing, so your carbon footprint still goes up.  You just do what you can.  :)

I was thinking exactly the same thing, nitedreamer.

Carpooling is clearly better than driving alone, but it's also not as good as public transit.

I also agree that living in a smaller space will definitely help offset any extra energy consumption from older appliances.

 awesome calculator!!  cool.  also helps you think of other ways to be green (by the questions they ask regarding things you're "supposed" to already do).

i got a 61...decent, I suppose...and I've got a similar dilemma to jenn because i live in an apartment with absolutely ancient appliances.  but they do have an option to check that you intend to upgrade to energy-efficient appliances within 5 years.  i admit i checked that box with the hope that that may be true!  ;) 

I got a 67, thought it was a cool little test, but shortcomings like any others