Footprints across Central Europe

Here in the UK, our ecological footprint is 5.6 global hectares per person. That is one of the highest in Europe, requiring around three planets' worth, if everyone were to live in the same way. Below are the footprints of some of the countries of Europe (some of which I hope to visit), all much lower than the UK, as follows:

~ Czech Republic (4.9)
~ Austria (4.7)
~ Switzerland (4.7)
~ Germany (4.4)
~ Netherlands (4.4)
~ Hungary (3.7)
~ Slovenia (3.5)
~ Slovakia (3.4)
~ Croatia (3.0)
~ Bulgaria (3.0)
~ Serbia & Montenegro (2.5)
~ Bosnia Herzogovina (2.2)
~ Macedonia (2.2)
~ Romania (2.1)

I am interested in concrete examples of good practice, methods and lifestyle which we could use as a model, to reduce our own footprint.

European Journey, Spring 2007

There is much we can learn from the rest of Europe about living in a more environmentally friendly way.

In February 2007, I plan to travel by train through Central Europe , visiting community radio stations, environment groups, libraries, schools and women's organisations to discover how countries with a smaller footprint than ours are meeting the challenge of global warming. I'll also be gathering tips for sustainable living from people who I meet along the way, especially in countries where the way of life still includes traditional, less resource-heavy methods of doing things.