Measuring Ecological Footprints: Understanding Resource Consumption and Sustainability

1. Ecological Footprints Footprint Image www.sustaindane.org (6/02) Measuring Resource Consumption and Sustainability

2. I. What is an Ecological Footprint? • Definition: • The amount of nature required to produce the resources (food, energy and materials) and to absorb the wastes of an individual, city, region or country over time. • Sustainable Footprint: • Nature provides an average of 5 acres of productive space for every person in the world at current population levels.

3. II. Sustainability of Earth • Sustainability - • On a global scale, when resources are being renewed at the rate at which they are being used, humanity’s footprint is “sustainable”. • Resource consumption and production are in balance and human lifestyles can be maintained. • Unsustainability - • When humanity’s footprint exceeds the planet’s ecological limits by using resources more quickly than they can be renewed, it’s footprint is “unsustainable”. • Resource consumption and production are not in balance and human lifestyles cannot be maintained indefinitely.

4. III. Global Footprint Trends • Humanity’s Total Footprint - • In the late 1970’s, humanity’s ecological footprint became unsustainable and has remained this way ever since. • By 2000, the ecological deficit reached nearly 1 acre per person. • Humanity’s footprint is currently over 30% larger than what nature can provide. Figure 1

5. IV. Our Ecological Footprint • United States - • In 2000, the United States became the nation with the largest per capita ecological footprint on the planet. • The average footprint for an individual living in the U.S. is 23.6 acres. Figure 2

6. IV. Our Ecological Footprint 2. Bay Area - • The average footprint for an individual living in the Bay Area is 20.9 acres. 3. Marin County - • The average footprint for an individual living in the Bay Area is 21.5 acres. It would take 4.5 Earths to support the human population if everyone had a footprint this size!

7. V. Calculating Your Ecological Footprint How big is your ecological footprint?

8. VI. Trends in Footprint Sources 1. Global Footprint Sources - • The biggest portion (47%) of the global Ecological Footprint is from the burning of fossil fuels. • The next most significant portion (29%) is the utilization of cropland and pastureland. Figure 3

9. VI. Trends in Footprint Sources Figure 4 2. Footprint Sources and Lower Income Levels (LDC’s) - • Nearly half is attributable to the utilization of cropland 3. Footprint Sources and Higher Income Levels (MDC’s) - • Over half is attributable to the use of energy land and the consumption of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas). Figure 5

10. Marin County Footprint Sources -

11. VII. Reducing Our Ecological Footprint • Reduce Consumption of Energy Land - • Construct buildings out of recycled materials that rely more on renewable energy such as wind and solar. • Encourage the use of public transportation and make it more accessible. • Reduce the use of single passenger vehicles. • Use energy efficient lightbulbs. • Shift thermostats down in the winter and up in the summer. • Install energy efficient showerheads and low-flow faucet aerators.

12. VII. Reducing Our Ecological Footprint 2. Reduce Consumption of Forest Land, Croplands and Pastures - • Use sustainably harvested wood products and recycled building materials. • Encourage reuse of materials after demolition of buildings. • Recycle and reuse paper products. • Eat less red meat to decrease consumption of grain, topsoil and water.