Ecological Footprint: A Summary PDF

The “ecological footprint” We are using 30% more of the planet’s resources than are available on a sustainable basis!  The “ecological footprint”  ecological footprint is a measure of human impact on Earth's ecosystem and reveals the dependence of t...

The “ecological footprint” We are using 30% more of the planet’s resources than are available on a sustainable basis!  The “ecological footprint”  ecological footprint is a measure of human impact on Earth's ecosystem and reveals the dependence of the human economy on natural capital.  The ecological footprint is defined as the biologically productive area needed to provide for everything people use: fruits and vegetables, fish, wood, fibers, absorption of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel use, and space for buildings and roads.  The “ecological footprint”  Biocapacity is the productive area that can regenerate what people demand from nature.  Footprint and biocapacity can be compared at the individual, regional, national or global scale.  Both footprint and biocapacity change every year with number of people, per person consumption, efficiency of production, and productivity of ecosystems.  Ecological footprints are not all equal The ecological footprints of countries vary greatly The U.S. footprint is almost 5 times greater than the world’s average Developing countries have much smaller footprints than developed countries  Population & consumption Human population growth worsens all environmental problems The growth rate has slowed, but we still add more than 200,000 people to the planet each day Our consumption of resources has risen even faster than our population growth. Life has become more pleasant for us so far However, rising consumption amplifies the demands we make on our environment.  Global human population growth More than 6.7 billion humans Why so many humans? Agricultural revolution Stable food supplies Industrial revolution Urbanized society powered by fossil fuels Sanitation and medicines More food We face challenges in agriculture Expanded food production led to increased population and consumption It’s one of humanity’s greatest achievements, but at an enormous environmental cost Nearly half of the planet’s land surface is used for agriculture Chemical fertilizers Pesticides Erosion Changed natural systems We face challenges in pollution Waste products and artificial chemicals used in farms, industries, and households Each year, millions of people die from pollution  We face challenges in climate Scientists have firmly concluded that humans are changing the composition of the atmosphere The Earth’s surface is warming Melting glaciers Rising sea levels Impacted wildlife and crops Increasingly destructive weather Since the Industrial Revolution, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations have risen by 37%, to the highest level in 650,000 years  We face challenges in biodiversity Human actions have driven many species extinct, and biodiversity is declining dramatically We are at the onset of a mass extinction event Biodiversity loss may be our biggest environmental problem; once a species is extinct, it is gone forever  Our energy choices will affect our future The lives we live today are due to fossil fuels Machines Chemicals Transportation Products Fossil fuels are a one-time bonanza; supplies will certainly decline We have used up ½ of the world’s oil supplies; how will we handle this imminent fossil fuel shortage?  Sustainable solutions exist We must develop solutions that protect both our quality of life and the environment: 1. Organic agriculture 2. Technology Reduces pollution 3. Biodiversity Protect species 4. Waste disposal Recycling 5. Alternative fuels  Sustainability: a goal for the future How can humans live within the planet’s means? Humans cannot exist without functioning natural systems Sustainability Leaves future generations with a rich and full Earth Conserves the Earth’s natural resources Maintains fully functioning ecological systems Sustainable development: the use of resources to satisfy current needs without compromising future availability of resources  Will we develop in a sustainable way? The triple bottom line: sustainable solutions that meet Environmental goals Economic goals Social goals Requires that humans apply knowledge from the sciences to Limit environmental impacts Maintain functioning ecological systems The Nature of Science Science: A systematic process for learning about the world and testing our understanding of it A dynamic process of observation, testing, and discovery The accumulated body of knowledge that results from this process Science is essential To sort fact from fiction Develop solutions to the problems we face  Applications of science 1. Policy decisions and 2. Technology management practices Energy-efficient methanol-powered fuel cell car from DaimlerChrysler Restoration of forest ecosystems altered by human suppression of fire  Conclusion Environmental science helps us understand our relationship with the environment and informs our attempts to solve and prevent problems. Identifying a problem is the first step in solving it Solving environmental problems can move us towards health, longevity, peace and prosperity Environmental science can help us find balanced solutions to environmental problems