the concept of the ecological footprint, or be careful ... · ecological footprint and biocapacity...
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The Concept of the Ecological Footprint, or Be Careful Where You Step
What is Biocapacity?
• Biocapacity as a lens: Capacity of biosphere to regenerate and provide for life. Even more limiting than minerals, metals or fossil fuel.
• Competition for productive surfaces: basic ecological principle – allows to add up the competing human demands.
• Demands include natural resources, waste absorption, water renewal, productive areas dedicated to urban uses etc.
1 ha
Measurement Unit: global hectare (gha)
2 gha
Fore example, if this
hectare is twice as productive as a world
average, biologically productive hectare. Then
it is worth 2 gha.
½ gha1 ha
For example, if this
hectare is half as productive as a world
average, biologically productive hectare. Then
it is worth ½ gha.
Biocapacity
The Earth’s total biocapacity in 2012 was about 12 billion global hectors, or about 1.72 gha per a person
The Ecological Footprint
CARBON footprint
FISHING grounds
FOREST PRODUCT footprint
Ecological Creditors and Ecological Debtors – 1961
Debtor
Creditor
Ecological Creditors and Ecological Debtors – 2008
Global Footprint--------------------------- = 1.6
Global Biocapacity
Debtor
Creditor