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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.