Here’s a questionnaire that will set you thinking about new
ways to change your life. Check the boxes to the right of as many
of the answers that apply to you, then check your score and
see how you tally on this voluntary audit of sustainability.

Energy and transport

1 Travelling to work I:
 Work flexitime to avoid commuter traffic
 Telecommute (i.e. work at home)
 Take the bus or subway
 Walk or bike
 Drive my car, always

2 I would use my car less if:
Gas/petrol were twice as expensive
I didn’t need a car for my job
Public transport were half the price and twice as frequent
I own a car but rarely use it
I don’t own a car
Hell freezes over. I’ll drive my car as much as I please

3 At home I:
Keep my thermostat at 20 degrees Celsius or lower in winter
Heat only the room I’m in
Turn off lights when I’m not using them
Limit or avoid use of air conditioning
Choose personal comfort at all costs and damn the consequences

Consumption

1 Before buying something I consider:
The environmental and human-rights record of the company
Is it made of recycled materials and is it recyclable?
Do I need it?
How will I dispose of it when I’m done with it?
Do I like it and does it make me feel good?

2 With regard to price, my policy is:
Buy from local merchants no matter what the cost
You get what you pay for, sometimes it’s worth spending more
Buy name brand, you can trust it
l Buy the lowest cost item no matter what the environmental cost
Buy what I want and don’t consider price

3 I believe:
I only buy what I really need
Over-consumption driven by corporate advertising is a major threat to the planet
I’d rather buy used to save money and resources
If I recycle, it’s okay to consume as much as I want
It doesn’t matter if I go into debt to get what I want
Whoever dies with the most toys wins

Money and work

1 What changes are you willing to make in
earning a living to protect the environment?
Job share, work part-time or take a pay cut
Lobby for change in my company
Quit if my company’s products, policies or practices are bad for the environment
Change professions
None, my main concern is looking after number one

2 What is the purpose of your paid job?
Saving for the future
Advancing in my profession and doing what I was trained to do
 Making a contribution to others and to society
Getting out of the house
 Paying the bills and buying as much stuff as possible

3 I choose the kind of work I do because:
It’s all I could get with the education I have
 It’s interesting, challenging and useful
 I wanted to make a contribution
 I fell into it
 My family expects it of me
 It’s secure and I don’t know what else to do

Food

1 I choose my food on the basis of:
How I will dispose of the packaging
Eating as low as possible on the food chain
Nutritional value
Whether it is genetically modified or whether chemicals were used in growing it
What’s grown locally and is in season
What’s quickest and easiest to prepare

2 I get most of my food from:
 A community-supported garden
 Local grocer
I grow or raise it myself
 The supermarket
 Fast food restaurants

3 I eat because:
I’m hungry
I’m taking a break
It’s mealtime
It rewards me
Others around me are eating
I’m bored

4 I stop eating because:
I’m full
My plate is empty
I’ve had my fair share
I’m stuffed
Someone is watching

Fun

1 I select my recreational activities based on these criteria:
Not having to travel far
What my family or social circle enjoys
Being out in nature
Keeping my body fit and stimulating my mind
Environmental impact, use of resources
The least exertion possible
Booze, sun and sex

2 The relationship between money and my recreational activities:
I spend very little; the best things in life are free
I spend more than I’d like because of family demands
Price is no object
I take expensive vacations as a reward for hard work

3 For me recreation is:
An escape
Relaxing
Deeply nourishing
 A luxury afforded by my affluence
A waste of good time

Family

1 How do I evaluate what I buy for my children?
I give them an allowance and leave them to decide
They have to earn money for what they want
I believe if you give kids love you don’t need to buy them so many things
I let them buy what they want
I buy only brand names; they’re better quality

2 Before buying an item for my children I consider:
Do they want it? Do they need it?
How long will it last?
How will I dispose of it when they’re done using it?
Is it made of recycled materials and is it recyclable?
Will it give them status with their peers?
Will they love me more?

3 My decision to have or not to have children is/was:
Made as my contribution to humanity
Limited to having only one child
Based on my sense of the needs of the planet
Because I love children and enjoy parenting
My own business
Based on others’ expectations
Made to rekindle the love in my marriage

Community

1 Whom do I recognize as my community?
Family and friends
People who share my values or religion
People in my neighborhood or my city
People in my country
All humankind and all creation
Me, myself and I

2 I participate economically in my community by:
Paying taxes
Buying local
Giving to my church or to a charity
Volunteering my skills
Borrowing from the bank because I’m always in debt

3 My motivations for community participation are:
Enjoyment
Caring and compassion
Part of my responsibility as a citizen
To make sure my interests are protected
I like to be in control and my neighbours are too stupid to run things

4 I don’t participate or support my community as much as I would like because:
I consider my job socially useful and it takes all my energy
My cup is full; I already volunteer as much as I can
I’m afraid of being a fool
 It’s inconvenient
 I don’t think I have anything to offer
 It doesn’t make any difference

Sustainability Score Card Check out your score below to gauge your personal progress on the road to sustainability. = Your score x 1 = Your score x 2 = Your score x 3 Total A = = Your score x -1 = Your score x -2 = Your score x -3 Total B = FINAL SCORE (A–B) = Ratings 75+ Planet pleaser 60-74 Earth activist 50-59 Green novice 40-49 Eco-loser under 40 Get a life