1.2 How are our Ecological Footprint Affecting Earth?

ecological footprint

the impact of a person or community on the environment, expressed as the amount of land required to sustain their use of natural resources.

point source

A specific source of pollution that can be identified, such as a pipe.

pollution

Addition of more waste than a resource can accommodate.

nonpoint source

a widely spread source of pollution that is difficult to link to a specific point of origin

environmental degradation

damage to or destruction of the natural environment