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Ecological Measurements. “Your Carbon Footprint’’. Ecological Measurements. What is an ecological footprint ? The amount of land & ocean area required to sustain your consumption patterns & absorb your wastes on an annual basis. (myfootprint.org). Ecological Measurements.
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Ecological Measurements “Your Carbon Footprint’’
Ecological Measurements • What is an ecological footprint? The amount of land & ocean area required to sustain your consumption patterns & absorb your wastes on an annual basis. (myfootprint.org)
Ecological Measurements • What are ways humans affect the environment? • How and why do humans use natural resources? • What are the problems associated with their use?
Ecological Measurements • “What IS An Ecological Footprint.” • A footprint actually displaces sand or dirt. The larger the footprint, the more dirt or sand is displaced. • With the Ecological Footprint concept, the more we consume and throw out, the more natural resources we use – and our symbolic • Ecological Footprint • grows. Image by flckr.com
Ecological Measurements • What is a Sustainable Lifestyle? • A sustainable lifestyle is one that does not use more natural resources at a faster rate than the Earth makes available. • We use natural resources when we consume, pollute, or discard garbage. Image by T. Mamula
Ecological Measurements • Four Consumption Categories • Carbon Footprint • Food Footprint • Housing Footprint • Goods & Services Footprint
Ecological Measurements • Carbon Footprint • The area needed to absorb carbon emissions generated by your home energy use & transportation.
Ecological Measurements • Food Footprint • The area needed to grow crops, fish, and graze animals and absorb carbon emissions from food processing and transport. Image by, playgreen.typepad.com
Ecological Measurements • Housing Footprint • The area occupied by your home and the area needed to supply resources used in construction and household maintenance. Image by, T. Mamula
Ecological Measurements • Goods & Services Footprint • The area needed to supply consumer items you purchase and absorb carbon emissions from their manufacturing, transport, and disposal. Image by, www.worldchanging.com
Ecological Measurements • To measure your Ecological Footprint go to: www.myfootprint.org • Take the quiz • Record your results in the lab booklet • Adjust your choices to reduce your footprint • Retake the quiz & compare your results to the first set of results
Ecological Footprint • If the Ecological Footprint indicates that more natural resources are used than the Earth supplies, then this is not a sustainable lifestyle. • It is very important for all of us on the Earth to live a sustainable lifestyle in order to leave the planet in good shape for future generations to enjoy and prosper! Image by, www.topnews.in/files/solar-energy.jpg
Resources • Ecological footprint. Retrieved on February 11, 2010. http://library.thinkquest.org/08aug/00972/ecofriends/ecological%20footprint_files/image007.jpg • http://www.myfootprint.org • Footprint in sand. Retrieved on February 11, 2010. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ezioman/410340190/ • Solar panels. Retrieved on February 11, 2010. www.topnews.in/files/solar-energy.jpg • Yosemite. Taken September 05, 2005. T. Mamula
Resources • Food footprint. Retrieved on February 11, 2010. http://playgreen.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/05/20/0518martinspan.jpg • House. Taken May, 16, 2009. T. Mamula • Carbon footprint. Retrieved on February 11, 2010. http://blogbenefit.com • Goods Footprint. Retrieved on February 11, 2010. http://www.worldchanging.com/carbon-footprints.jpg • Yosemite. Taken September 05, 2005. T. Mamula