Debbi Wood

This has made me painfully aware of how difficult it is to get around without using your vehicle if you live in a rural area. Buses are only local to the small town, with very few traveling outside town limits, so I had to be creative in putting together trips that were multi-town. I've decided my best option is to ride share whenever possible, group shopping trips, doctor visits, that sort of thing so miles driven are not wasted.

I do agree that a sense of gratitude leads to a sense of moral obligation, maybe not in all, but in most. It is why I feel it is more important than ever that all children, while young, should experience the outdoors, mother nature, learn how to admire, use, and protect it. By instilling respect and awe for nature and conservation at a young age, it will become a moral obligation by choice.

I have become well versed with Microsoft Teams for meeting, chats, IT support, and much more. My cellphone which I never had on me, is now at my side continuously throughout my work day, as I can be mobile about my location and still have the same office access, a much smaller screen though. I do enjoy working remotely for the ease of the commute, fresh coffee, and readily available food; not too mention I choose my office décor. I do miss the human interaction in an in-person setting, the jokes, office potlucks, and holidays. I am surprised of how much of an impact commuting to the office makes. I did not take into consideration all of the different carbon footprints that I impacted daily in commuting to work, much less my own.

I feel it is my personal responsibility. I take regularly from the planet and I feel I need to support replenishing what is taken, and conserving what cannot be replenished. I feel a strong responsibility to see that those in the future are able to enjoy the same beauty of our planet as I have been so lucky to experience.

I was floored by my virtual water footprint, the amount of water consumed by our shopping, diet, and pet habits was shocking and eye-opening. We actually have a low water footprint, but again the wasted amounts due to the virtual footprint will have to significantly change. Fortunately, a great number of excellent tips were provided to get us started.

I am grateful for all natural gifts. The one I am most grateful for is the peace of the woods, the colors of the flora, and the uniqueness of it all.