1-2 How Are Our 1-2 How Are Our Ecological Ecological Footprints Footprints

Affecting the EarthAffecting the Earth

By Mr. “pizza mmmm” ChapmanBy Mr. “pizza mmmm” Chapman

Voc WordsVoc Words

PerpetualPerpetual resourceresource – renewed continuously (Solar energy) – renewed continuously (Solar energy) Renewable resourceRenewable resource – days to centuries (water, air, – days to centuries (water, air,

forests, forests, soilsoil, fish populations), fish populations) NonrenewableNonrenewable – fixed quantities (fossil fuels, metals, – fixed quantities (fossil fuels, metals,

minerals)minerals) Environmental degradation Environmental degradation - - exceeds natural replacement exceeds natural replacement

rate.rate.

As our ecological footprints grow, we deplete and As our ecological footprints grow, we deplete and degrade more of the earth’s natural capital.degrade more of the earth’s natural capital.

Fig. 1-4, p. 10

Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint Ecological footprintEcological footprint

The amount of land and water needed to supply The amount of land and water needed to supply people in a given area with renewable resources people in a given area with renewable resources forever.forever.

Also includes the land and water necessary to Also includes the land and water necessary to absorb and recycle wastes and pollutionabsorb and recycle wastes and pollution

Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint Per capita ecological footprintPer capita ecological footprint Average ecological footprint of an Average ecological footprint of an

individual in a given area (takes into individual in a given area (takes into account number of people)account number of people)

China – large ecological footprint because so China – large ecological footprint because so many people many people

China – small per capita footprint each person China – small per capita footprint each person only contributes a littleonly contributes a little

Fig. 1-5, p. 11

Stepped Art

Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint

Ecological deficitEcological deficit Total ecological footprint greater than what Total ecological footprint greater than what

the earth can supportthe earth can support 2008 study: at least 30% global excess2008 study: at least 30% global excess Humans currently need 1.3 earths Humans currently need 1.3 earths 88% for high-income countries88% for high-income countries Need 6 earths if everyone lived like Need 6 earths if everyone lived like

AmericansAmericans

Fig. 1-7, p. 13

Environmentalimpact of population

(I)

Developing Countries

Population (P)

Developed Countries

Consumptionper person

(affluence, A)

Technological impact per unit of

consumption (T)

Developed Countries Developed Countries Have Higher ImpactsHave Higher Impacts Developed countries (1Developed countries (1stst world) world)

United States, Japan, New Zealand, United States, Japan, New Zealand, most of Europe, some othersmost of Europe, some others

19% world population19% world population Use 88% of world’s resourcesUse 88% of world’s resources Create 75% of world’s pollutionCreate 75% of world’s pollution

Developing CountriesDeveloping Countries (2 (2ndnd World)World)

81% world population81% world population Middle income: Brazil, China, IndiaMiddle income: Brazil, China, India

Least Developed Least Developed (3(3rdrd world)world) Countries: Haiti, Nigeria, NicaraguaCountries: Haiti, Nigeria, Nicaragua Use far fewer resources per capita (per Use far fewer resources per capita (per

person) than developed countriesperson) than developed countries Smaller per capita ecological footprintSmaller per capita ecological footprint

Tragedy of the CommonsTragedy of the Commons

Environmental degradation of openly Environmental degradation of openly shared renewable resourcesshared renewable resources

Users focus on their own selfish, short-Users focus on their own selfish, short-term gainterm gain

Works when only a small number of Works when only a small number of usersusers

Big part of why humans now live Big part of why humans now live unsustainablyunsustainably