Footprint Image www.sustaindane.org (6/02) Ecological Footprints Measuring Resource Consumption and Sustainability
Jan 13, 2016
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Ecological Footprints
Measuring Resource Consumption and Sustainability
I. What is an Ecological Footprint?I. What is an Ecological Footprint?
1. Definition:
• The amount of nature required to produce the resources (food, energy and materials) and to absorb the wastes of an individual, city, region or country over time.
2. Sustainable Footprint:
• Nature provides an average of 5 acres of productive space for every person in the world at current population levels.
II. Sustainability of EarthII. Sustainability of Earth1. Sustainability -
• On a global scale, when resources are being renewed at the rate at which they are being used, humanity’s footprint is “sustainable”.
• Resource consumption and production are in balance and human lifestyles can be maintained.
2. Unsustainability -
• When humanity’s footprint exceeds the planet’s ecological limits by using resources more quickly than they can be renewed, it’s footprint is “unsustainable”.
• Resource consumption and production are not in balance and human lifestyles cannot be maintained indefinitely.
III. Global Footprint TrendsIII. Global Footprint Trends
1. Humanity’s Total Footprint -
• In the late 1970’s, humanity’s ecological footprint became unsustainable and has remained this way ever since.
• By 2000, the ecological deficit reached nearly 1 acre per person.
• Humanity’s footprint is currently over 30% larger than what nature can provide.
Figure 1
IV. Our Ecological FootprintIV. Our Ecological Footprint1. United States -
• In 2000, the United States became the nation with the largest per capita ecological footprint on the planet.
• The average footprint for an individual living in the U.S. is 23.6 acres.
Figure 2
IV. Our Ecological FootprintIV. Our Ecological Footprint
2. Bay Area -
• The average footprint for an individual living in the Bay Area is 20.9 acres.
3. Marin County -
• The average footprint for an individual living in the Bay Area is 21.5 acres.
It would take 4.5 Earths to support the human population if everyone had a footprint this size!
V. Calculating Your Ecological FootprintV. Calculating Your Ecological Footprint
1. How big is your ecological footprint?
1. Global Footprint Sources -
• The biggest portion (47%) of the global Ecological Footprint is from the burning of fossil fuels.
• The next most significant portion (29%) is the utilization of cropland and pastureland.
VI. Trends in Footprint SourcesVI. Trends in Footprint Sources
Figure 3
VI. Trends in Footprint SourcesVI. Trends in Footprint Sources
2. Footprint Sources and Lower Income Levels (LDC’s) -
• Nearly half is attributable to the utilization of cropland
3. Footprint Sources and Higher Income Levels (MDC’s) -
• Over half is attributable to the use of energy land and the consumption of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas).
Figure 4
Figure 5
3. Marin County Footprint Sources -
VII. Reducing Our Ecological FootprintVII. Reducing Our Ecological Footprint1. Reduce Consumption of Energy Land -
• Construct buildings out of recycled materials that rely more on renewable energy such as wind and solar.
• Encourage the use of public transportation and make it more accessible.
• Reduce the use of single passenger vehicles.
• Use energy efficient lightbulbs.
• Shift thermostats down in the winter and up in the summer.
• Install energy efficient showerheads and low-flow faucet aerators.
VII. Reducing Our Ecological FootprintVII. Reducing Our Ecological Footprint2. Reduce Consumption of Forest Land, Croplands and Pastures -
• Use sustainably harvested wood products and recycled building materials.
• Encourage reuse of materials after demolition of buildings.
• Recycle and reuse paper products.
• Eat less red meat to decrease consumption of grain, topsoil and water.