Ilisapesi lives with her Mother and slightly older male cousin in a State House (Ilisapesi, log book, p. 7). She is a quiet, thoughtful 17 year old student of Tongan descent. She would like to work in the field of health. In her own words;
My chosen sustainability issue is on the decrease of ‗carbon footprint‘. The need to take action and reduce my carbon footprint is of great importance as I do daily activities which increase this issue. Therefore, there has been a feeling of guilt but through the lessons, knowledge and learning habits I have gained … I am determined to contribute to a sustainable future and adhere to my personal values; ecological awareness, nature, personal development, responsibility and economic security (Ilisapesi, log book p4).
As Ilisapesi researched she found out more about how global warming was causing climate change and made a connection to video material; Rising Waters: Global warming and the fate of the Pacific Islands; she had seen in class earlier in the year (Channel 4 International Ltd., 2000). This appeared to lead her to deeper meaning about what was happening and she reacted emotionally:
The increase of carbon dioxide emissions due to human activity such as the burning of fossil fuels (i.e. coal, oil, gas) for energy is harmful and causes damage to the environment (i.e. therefore affecting and disrupting ecosystems). This is because CO2 is a greenhouse gas and contributes to the greenhouse effect where the greenhouse gases trap solar radiation therefore warming the earth which causes global warming and climate change. This saddens me as I know that my daily actions are causing this and other
ecosystems suffer the consequences as well (Ilisapesi, log book p 4).
Having made that connection between her actions and the consequences, Ilisapesi felt compelled to act:
This is a wake up call for me [to] be a responsible person. Also the sustainable changes I would strive towards in relation to this issue would help benefit my family especially in terms of economic aspects. By aiming to reduce my carbon footprint through actions such as limiting time spent showering, electrical appliances and even shopping less etc this can reduce electrical and water bills, therefore saving money and putting less pressure on my mother (a single Mum) (Ilisapesi, log book, p 4,) .
For her log and final report Ilisapesi accessed reliable information from New Zealand sources e.g. the Crown Research Institute National Institute of Water and Air (NIWA), and the Ministry for the Environment. She also used overseas sources such as Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States and Griffiths University in Australia (Ilisapesi, log book, p 12-21).
She was able to make connections between her understanding of global warming and to locate herself and feel some responsibility as a Pacific Islander living in NZ:
As a Pacific Islander it is heartbreaking to see all the disasters that are occurring due to global warming and climate change in the Pacific Islands, such as Kiribati are now facing rising sea levels which have destroyed sea walls, where people now have to move to higher grounds; they have lost their homes … along with their personal belongings. Other sad incidents are the graveyards which have been destroyed due to the rising sea levels. Also if sea levels continue to rise, Kiribati may eventually flood and disappear so its people would lose their
‗land‘ which is a huge part of their culture (Ilisapesi, log book p 5).
Ilisapesi reported that she involved both her mother and her cousin in her efforts to reduce the household‘s carbon footprint (Ilisapesi, journal entry 25th August 2009). She developed a comprehensive action plan that had nine out of twenty steps involving reduced use of electricity in some way (Ilisapesi, log book p23).
The steps covered using energy efficient light bulbs (pictures of these in place, Ilisapesi, log book, p. 25/26), turning appliances off when not in use (pictures of appliances turned off, Ilisapesi, log book, p. 29), using appliances more effectively or for less time, using less hot water and heating. With this approach Ilisapesi‘s family managed to drop their power bill from $185 per month to $148 by the end of the two month action, a difference of $37, as evidenced by the power bills included in Ilisapesa‘s log book (p 27, and p30). In addition, Ilisapesa encouraged the eating of less processed, fresher food, and more exercise, for instance walking to Church, and over the two months of the initial action her Mother lost 7 kg in weight.
Ilisapesa noted that the household members reminded each other to keep to the agreement they had made regarding her plan and while this required constant reminders initially, by the end it seemed to become more habitual. Some of these changes involved a lot of commitment as Ilisapesa, for instance, stated that she hated using public transport but reported resolutely using it now whenever she can. She included her bus tickets in her log book (Ilisapesi, p. 33,). Ilisapesa also noted that the household found it hard to give up long (15-30 minutes) hot showers, often several a day, but did so. She reports in her journal (Ilisapesi, Sunday 6th September p. 28) that the shower now has a ‗water saving showerhead‘. In her journal, Ilisapesi also notes that spare clothing was put in a recycling bin by herself and her Aunt (Ilisapesi, Monday 14th September). From the 27th of August her journal records that her male cousin had even been persuaded to heat up his pizza in the microwave rather than the oven (Ilisapesi, p.
27).
In her journal (Ilisapesi, Tuesday 22nd September p. 30) Ilisapesi notes that her Mum‘s sister Emeline has decided to follow their lead and had started by obtaining a compost bin the previous Saturday. Ilisapesi reflects in this same journal entry that the household‘s shopping is very different now as they don‘t buy a lot of processed food any more and that previously her Mum and cousin had eaten a lot of processed food. She also records that they always take their reusable shopping bags with them. In her October 23rd journal entry Ilisapesi records that she and her cousin have been running (Ilisapesi, p. 32) and earlier she noted they had played basketball outside rather than watch TV or listen to music (Ilisapesi, journal entry Friday 11th September p. 28). Her 16th October journal entry (Ilisapesi, p. 31) records that while at Church the teenage boys in the congregation were littering the garden. Ilisapesi told them off and they picked it up, although she did get called ‗ecofreak‘. On the 25th October she notes in her journal with pleasure that there is hardly any littering at Church now (Ilisapesi, p.
32).
On the 20th October Ilisapesi records in her journal that her thinking has changed over the last few weeks and she now knows a lot more about sustainability (Ilisapesi, log book, p. 31). The following Monday in her journal she writes:
Although this is the ending date for my action plan …it is really just the beginning –it has become a lifestyle choice (Ilisapesi, journal Monday 26th October p. 32).
In her report she wrote:
With having more knowledge on sustainability and the experiences of performing my action, my household and I have decided to carry on with these actions and perhaps add on more eco-friendly actions. It has become a lifestyle choice. … I am now determined to live a greener lifestyle and I now more often think about the consequences before I act (Ilisapesi report p. 13).
When I spoke to her in the corridor six months later the household is still maintaining their action. Ilisapesi was in the developing or action competent groups for all but the experience aspect. Throughout her action she clearly demonstrated the other aspects.
This record (Ilisapesi, log book, journal) shows the day to day steps taken by an ordinary household as they change their lifestyle to one that is more sustainable.
They make this change for two reasons. Firstly, to help the household save money and secondly, because reducing their carbon footprint is a small step to stopping their beloved Pacific Islands being affected by rising sea levels.