Ecological Footprint

1. Ecological Footprint

2. What is the Ecological Footprint? The EF measure the acres of bioproductive land (cropland, forests, etc.) needed to provide 1) the resources needed to produce what you consume and (Earth as a ‘source’.) 2) absorb the wastes you create (Earth as a ‘sink.’)

3. Ecological Footprint A tool for measuring humankind’simpact on nature Estimates the area of land and ocean requiredto supportconsumptionof food, goods,services, housing, and energy andto assimilate wastes. Expressed in"global hectares" (gha) or "global acres" (ga) 1 Hectare = 2.5 acres Categories: carbon (home energy use and transportation), food, housing, and goods and services. http://www.myfootprint.org/en/about_the_quiz/what_it_measures/

4. Review: Human Needs and the Environment Energy from the sun  ENVIRONMENT 2. Transformations: Manufacturing, process of inputs 3. OUPUTS: wastes 1. INPUTS: natural materials, energy 4. Wastes stay in the environment. They are transformed, but do not go “away.” Diagram: Creative Change Educational Solutions. Adapted from works of Herman Daly.

5. Big Ideas: Human needs and the environment • The environment is the ultimate source of all materials, inputs or resources. • 2. Humans transform these inputs to meet needs. These transformations can be traced through a product’s life cycle -- it’s “life story.” • 3. The environment is the final sink for all resulting wastes. • 4. Wastes can change physically or chemically, but do not leave the environment or go “away.” • Some outputs/transformations are beneficial: Food scraps > compost, then used as fertilizer. • Some are harmful: Coal > emissions, adding C02 and pollutants.

6. Ecosystem Functions and Services • Environment as a source of materials, energy, food: • Food production: photosynthesis, pollination, composting and nutrient cycling • Environment as a sink: • absorption of run-off, sequestering carbon • Other ecosystem services: • Climate regulation • Aesthetics: a source of beauty and spirituality Key point: The environment exists for all species, not just humans.

7. Global Land Cover 1: Evergreen Needleleaf Forests; 2: Evergreen Broadleaf Forests; 3: Deciduous Needleleaf Forests;4: Deciduous Broadleaf Forests;5: Mixed Forests;; 6: Woodlands;7: Grasslands/Shrubs; 8: Closed Bushlands/shrubland; 9: Open Shrublands; 10: Grasses; 11: Croplands; 12: Bare; 13: Mosses/Lichens

8. Source, Sinks, and the Earth’s Land Cover: • Source and sink functions of different land use types: Land use type Source function Sink function Cropland food absorb fertilizer Grasslands ??? ??? Forests wood, paper ??? Waterways fish, water, salt absorb run-off Built-up land infrastructure, industry land-fills

9. EF Methodology: Based on available land • A average unit of biological productivity (ability to provide materials/absorb wastes) is developed from the different land use types: forests, waterways, grasslands, etc.

10. EF Methodology Calculations • Based on available acres of productive land. • Amount of ecologically productive land available for each person on earth: 15.7 hectares • Global average footprint size= 21.9 hectares • As a species, we are not living within the earth’s biocapacity.

11. EF Methodology: Assumption/Critiques • Assumptions: • It is possible to keep track of resource- and waste flows. • These flows can be converted into the biologically productive area required to maintain them. • Critique: EF is Anthropocentric • The EF views/quantifies natural world as a set of “resources” for human use. • Dilemma: In a sustainability worldview, the natural world has value beyond human uses. • However, the scale of human impact creates a need for quantitative tools like the EF.