Background

The Living Planet Report 2014 released in September 2014 tracks the population levels of thousands of species, and measures the impact of the way we live our lives on our environment. Its findings reveal that:

• Wildlife populations worldwide have declined by 52% since 1970.

• We are living as though we have more than one planet at our disposal.

• By taking more than nature can replenish, we are jeopardising our own future.

WWF was formed on 29 April 1961, by a group of eminent people who made an inspired commitment to the natural world. They called for urgent worldwide action to stop vast numbers of wild animals being hunted out of existence, and stop their habitats being destroyed. This brief restates that urgency and immediate call for action.

This issue is not something we can leave for governments or NGOs to deal with. It’s no longer someone else’s problem – it’s everyone’s responsibility. And together, the solutions are possible.

The Challenge

Inspire a new generation to understand that we all have an impact on our planet and an effect on its health.

Take the Living Planet Report findings and make them relevant and accessible to the ‘always on’ generation. Find a way to communicate that our relationship with the planet is reciprocal: we need the planet and the planet needs us.

All the evidence is there. So how do you make people engage with it and then change their behaviour?

Who it’s for

14 to 24 year olds, who have the opportunity to shape their futures. They might be interested in the cause but it’s difficult to engage them to the point of action.

• EarthCount utilizes the WWF’s Environmental Footprint Calculator available on their website.

• EarthCount calculates your environmental impact and represents it through the number of planets that would be needed if everyone else lived according to your lifestyle.

• By syncing with your bank account through Mint Finance and Apple Pay, EarthCount is able to calculate your environmental footprint through your spending habits. Did you buy those grapes from an imported source that used a lot of fuel, or did you opt for the organic local option?

• By using the app on your Apple watch, EarthCount keeps track of your transportation habits and syncs with your maps app to see how often you opt for transportation options that have a smaller environmental footprint. Did you take the bus, train or your bike to work this week, or did you take your car?

• EarthCount calculates the user’s environmental impact and represents it through the number of planets that would be needed if everyone else lived according to that person’s lifestyle.

• The questions are divided into three categories: Health & Diet, Travel, and Home & Stuff. The survey takes less than five minutes to complete.

• Users are able to share their “EarthCounts” via social media and are urged to use EarthCount to help lower their environmental impact.

• The app is linked to wearable technology, such as self-quantifying watches, step counters and smartphones.

• EarthCount also syncs with the user’s bank account to track how much money is spent on specific categories and how this affects the user’s EarthCount.

• Improvements in the user’s environmental impact will result in planets being deducted from the EarthCount, with the ideal of only one planet being used.