I was surprised to find out that I had a lower water footprint than average, even though my individual results for things like showering and leaving the tap on during the day were higher than the average. It turns out that my driving, meatless meals, and not having pets that I feed lowered it a bit. I'm interested in doing more to lower it some more.

Being out in nature always makes me feel better because it reminds me there's more in this world than what's inside my house, the internet and my head - neat plants, interesting landscapes, bodies of water, etc.

My answer is honest but seems silly to me--I guess by this point I should suspect more products I use have more chemicals than I realize. I think the laundry products were the most surprising. And the dry cleaning! I was happy to see there are several options to make my own cleaning products. I'm looking forward to doing more of that now that I know more about what I have been using.

This definitely expanded my understanding of the disparity that exists already and how much worse it could get within the next 15 years. Water justice isn't top of mind, although I do think about it more with the more frequent periods of drought. It does help me weigh personally how I use water (not to take my access for granted) and it has prompted me to see if there are other ways I could contribute in my region.

I often use baking soda and vinegar when cleaning.

I learned there is an old quarry south of my Village. I was lucky enough to stumble across it while at an estate sale. The property owners gave me access and I found an Ordovician stromatolite, which is spectacular!

I learned there are Native American burial grounds in the Village I live in. A local high school student worked with a historian to develop an information sign. They are now working with the Village Board to get the sign installed.

• Adding more insulation to my home. I did have additional insulation added to the attic space in my house when I first moved but getting into the wall insulation can be pricey. All things considered, despite having 4 bedrooms, my house is quite small (1950's tiny bedrooms and basement bedrooms). We try to open windows in summer and wear thicker clothing in the winter to offset the poorer energy efficiency of the house.
• Switch to climate friendly heating source. Maybe one day if I see the end of the furnace's life, but it was replaced shortly before we moved in so it has a long time to go - seems like a waste of money to replace a perfectly good unit. I would prefer the option to buy renewable natural gas from my utility.
• Reduce flights - I just don't think it's realistic for my mental well being. I enjoy travel and seeing people "back home"/being there for important moments. Again, I think something could be said for the industry being more renewable then asking me to stop travelling. Although we do make several treks by car when it's feasible.
• Environmentally friendly car - I wanted to buy an EV for my next vehicle until that next vehicle purchase came up much sooner than expected. My household is down to 1 gas vehicle currently (usually have 2) so I would like for the second vehicle to be electric but that doesn't really save energy aside from trying to use the electric one more than the gas vehicle.
• Always get environmentally friendly car for taxi/uber - I think this is an easy one to switch to going forward that I'll try to "always" consciously select it.
• Walk or bike more - Walking or biking in my area is reserved for pretty much recreational travel. It's not feasible to take a bike or walk to the grocery store when I have so many groceries to bring back. Everything else is too far to reasonably bike...plus I'd need to purchase a bike.
• Eat less beef/lamb and eat more vegetarian meals - I have been working on this one. My sticking point is I love a good cheeseburger for comfort meal for beef. Also, I have trouble with getting variety in protein doing strictly vegetarian (I need to mix it up with my meals or I will start hating certain ingredients). Overall I have been trying to be more conscious about vegetarian meals so I will just keep trying!
• Eat seasonally - I could definitely be much better about this and be willing to try but that would also require truly understanding what's seasonal in my area
• Local foods - I would love this, the convenience of one grocery store often gets in my way. I'm willing to be try being more conscious though
• Climate friendly pet food - I didn't even know this was a thing! I'd love to but also have to consider the health of my pets and their preferences so I'd need to do research first.
• Avoid palm products - I read an interesting book that suggested the yield of palm farms is much better than alternatives for the given area. The true problem is unsustainable palm farming. I honestly haven't looked into the palm products I use or don't. Certainly something to look into.
• Reduce plastics - I have been trying to do this but sometimes it can be so hard to avoid. I need the products and they come in packaging whether I like it or not. But my state doesn't have plastic bags anymore so my grocery bags are always reusable.
• Prioritize wood/hemp/bamboo products - This can be difficult. I tried switching to bamboo toothbrushes once but it resulted in cavities because they weren't cleaning my teeth well enough for what I needed. I did build a greenhouse with wood instead of PVC though.
• Shop less and second hand - This is interesting because I didn't say I shopped a lot. I do try to rent tools rather than buying unless I find myself renting often. I try to reduce my shopping for financial reasons though so it's limited my shopping overall. Much of what I'm buying doesn't have much of a second hand market though.