CGC1D0- Culminating Activity

6. We all need to reduce our footprint. As a Canadian teenager, how would

you reduce your ecological footprint? Suggest three ways that would have
the most impact.

In these modern days teenagers play a huge part in the future, whether it be in
the future of jobs or the future of our environment. Reducing our footprints is
something any teen can do! Some of the ways include getting a reusable water
bottle, unplugging/switching off electrical appliances when not in use and
shopping smart. Reusable water bottles like the Nalgene water bottle or the
Bobble are good examples or reusable water bottles (the Bobble even comes
with a filter). 80% of plastic bottles don’t get to the recycling bin. Using a reusable
water bottle is an easy and simple investment that ensures that less plastic is
used for the everyday consumption of water. There are also many designs that
can appeal to teens. Another way is to switch off and/or unplug appliances to
avoid ‘phantom load’. The term ‘phantom load’ refers to when an appliance
continues to draw small amounts of power even when it is turned off. Something
useful to keep in mind is to have a screensaver every 10-20 minutes so that you
can save power when you’re not using your laptop. If you have to leave your
computer on you can put it into sleep mode or hibernate. Unplugging everyday
kitchen appliances like toasters when not in use helps as well to avoid the
‘phantom load’. Last but not least, shopping locally plays a big part. Large malls
are usually built over what used to be a natural space. Local stores are more
likely to be more energy-conscious in terms of energy and transportation costs.
Buying things like clothing local is a fresh way to style your outfits because you
can get unique pieces from local boutiques or vintage stores. Try to buy
groceries that are grown locally or in Canada to ensure less energy and
transportation costs that could pollute the environment. All in all reducing your
ecological footprint can be done by making small but meaningful changes to your
everyday routine. There are other benefits to going green such as contributing
and supporting non-basic industries within your community.

7. Some Canadian diamond manufacturers place a tiny polar bear on the

surface of their diamonds to differentiate them from conflict (or blood)
diamonds. Why would they do this?

Some say that diamonds are forever, but the internal conflicts in some African
countries like Angola and Sierra Leone don’t have to be. Some Canadian
diamond manufacturers place a tiny symbol on their diamonds to differentiate
them from conflict diamonds. This is so that conflict diamonds will (hopefully in
the future) not be able to get into the market. A conflict diamond Is a diamond
that originates from places controlled by forces that are opposed to
internationally recognized governments, where civilians are usually injured in the
process of obtaining the diamonds. Tens of thousands of innocent civilians have
been killed, mutilated or abducted from potential diamond mining sites. Profits
from the sales of these illegal diamonds are used to purchasing and obtaining
weapons and to fund conflicts. The symbol is present to show that the diamond

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has not contributed to any conflicts in foreign countries. Canadian diamonds also
some with a certificate to prove that the diamond was mined in Canada. They
use a program called Gemprint to capture an image of the diamond for records.
In conclusion the addition of the symbol is to ensure that the diamond is free of
conflict. Putting the symbol could also help raise awareness about the situation of
illicit diamond smuggling in other countries.

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Bibliography

Question 6

Deacon, G. (2008). How to Go Shopping. Gillian Deacon (p. 159). New York:
Penguin Group.

Go Green. (2009, February 23). Seventeen Magazine, 80, 67.

Howard, B. (n.d.). 17 Easy Ways for Teens to Go Green.The Daily Green.

Retrieved January 14, 2011, from www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/6334

Osmena, B. (n.d.). 10 Ways Teens Can Reduce Their Carbon Footprints «

Generation G Magazine. Generation G Magazine. Retrieved January 14, 2011, from
http://gmag.com.ph/home/10-ways-teens-can-reduce-their-carbon-footprints/

Question 7

1999, r. 1., 2000, t. S., violations, i. a., (Chile), A. J., Kingdom), C. G.,
(Zimbabwe), J. M., et al. (n.d.). Conflict diamonds. Welcome to the United Nations: It's
Your World. Retrieved January 16, 2011, from
http://www.un.org/peace/africa/Diamond.html

Canadian Diamond Discovery in the Arctic NWT. (n.d.).Wholesale Canadian

Diamonds, Engagement Rings, GIA and AGS ideal cut Certified Diamonds, Wedding
Bands, Platinum Jewelry direct from Diamond Broker. Retrieved January 15, 2011, from
http://www.canadadiamonds.com/canadian_diamond_story.htm

Parker, J. (2002). Yellowknife: the diamond capital. Calgary: Weigl.

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