Lab 1: Calculating Ecological Footprints (Due Monday, August 28th)
Researchers at the Global Footprint Network continue to refine their method of calculating ecological footprints – the amount of biologically productive land and water required to produce energy and natural resources we consume and to absorb the wastes we generate. According to their most recent data, there are 1.71 hectares (4.23 acres) available per person in the world, yet we use on average 2.87 ha (7.09 acres) per person, creating a global ecological deficit, or overshoot (p. 6 of textbook), of 68%.
Compare the ecological footprints of each nation listed in the table. Calculate their proportional relationships to the world population’s average ecological footprint and to the area available globally to meet our ecological demands. (15 points for filling out the chart, including the values for your personal footprint).
NATION
ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT (HECTARES PER PERSON)
PROPORTION RELATIVE TO WORLD AVERAGE FOOTPRINT
PROPORTION RELATIVE TO WORLD AREA AVAILABLE
Bangladesh
0.7
0.7 ecological footprint of Bangladesh divided by 2.9 ha world average footprint = 0.3 proportion relative to world average footprint
0.7 ecological footprint of Bangladesh divided by 1.7 ha available per person = 0.4 proportion relative to world area available
Tanzania
1.3
1.3 ecological footprint of Tanzania divided by 2.9 ha world average footprint =0.45 proportion relative to the world average footprint
1.3 ecological footprint of Tanzania divided by 1.7 ha available per person = 0.76 proportion relative to world area available
Columbia
1.9
1.9 ecological footprint of Columbia divided by 2.9 ha world average footprint =0.66 proportion relative to world average footprint
1.9 ecological footprint of Columbia divided by 1.7 ha available per person = 1.12 proportion relative to world area available
Thailand
2.6
2.6 ecological footprint of Thailand divided by 2.9 ha world average footprint =0.9 proportion relative to the world average footprint
2.6 ecological footprint of Thailand divided by 1.7 ha available per person = 1.53 proportion relative to world area available
Mexico
2.6
2.6 ecological footprint of Mexico divided by 2.9 ha world average footprint =0.9 proportion relative to world average footprint
2.6 ecological footprint of Mexico divided by 1.7 ha available per person = 1.53 proportion relative to world area available
Sweden
6.5
6.5 ecological footprint of Sweden divided by 2.9 ha world average footprint =2.24 proportion relative to world average footprint
6.5 ecological footprint of Sweden divided by 1.7 ha available per person = 3.82 proportion relative to world area available
United States
8.6
8.6 ecological footprint of the United States divided by 2.9 ha world average footprint =2.97 proportion relative to the world average footprint
8.6 ecological footprint of United States divided by 1.7 ha available per person = 5.1 proportion relative to world area available
World Average
2.9
2.9 ecological footprint divided by 2.9 ha world average footprint = 1.0 proportion to the world average
2.9 ecological footprint for world average divided by 1.7 ha available per person in the world = 1.7 proportion relative to world area available
Your Personal footprint (see Question 5)
6.4
6.4 ecological footprint divided by 2.9 ha world average footprint = 2.2 proportion to the world average
6.4 ecological footprint for world average divided by 1.7 ha available per person in the world = 3.8 proportion relative to world area available
Calculating Ecological Footprints
- Why do you think the ecological footprint for people in Bangladesh is so small? (2 points)
This is because of the emphasis on local food production, which means less footprint in transportation. Further, the number of cars registered nationwide was about 578,151 in 2022, indicating a minimal carbon footprint. Communal living also minimizes per capita consumption of resources. Finally, there is limited industrialization.
- Why do you think the ecological footprint is so large for people in the United States? (3 points)
The carbon footprint in the United States is high because people are likely to be individualistic. Thus, even with a high population, each house has a small population, which means a high per capita consumption of resources. Further, there are significantly more cars. The USA is also the second most industrialized nation.
- Based on the average data in the table, how do you think average per capita income is related to ecological footprints? (3 points)
Higher per capita income, such as in the USA, affects the ecological footprint. First, it increases consumption patterns since people have a greater purchasing power, including resource-intensive products and technologies. People in high-income nations have higher standards of living, which are often resource-intensive, including more cars, larger homes, and more electrical appliances, hence more energy consumption. High-income nations also use more packaged and imported foods than locally sourced ones.
- Name some ways in which you believe a wealthy society can decrease its ecological footprint. (3 points)
A wealthy society can leverage its wealth to decrease its ecological footprint by;
First, increasing renewable energy production. An example is the Tesla Solar power systems
Second, sustainable agriculture. They can boost local production using technology.
Third, they can opt for the more expensive but sustainable electric vehicles.
- Go to an online footprint calculator such as the one at http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/personal_footprint and take the test to determine your own personal ecological footprint. Enter the value you obtain in the table and calculate the other values as you did for each nation. How does your footprint compare to that of people from other nations? Name three actions you could take to reduce your footprint. (4 points)
My footprint is well above that of less developed nations but is below that of fellow people from USA. To reduce my footprint, I will;
First, start carpooling and using public transport more.
Second, increase my local foods intake and adopt a vegetarian diet.
Third, recycle more and minimize waste generation.