Environmental- Ecological Footprint
Why is it better to buy locally grown, organic foods?
(think conventional vs organic potato) -way less processing and pollution
What do a ecological footprint quiz results show us?
-# of acres required to provide resources and sinks -# of planets required if everyone lived like you -# of acres by sector (food, transportation, housing) that comprise your footprint
What is sustainability?
--new, broad concept with variable definitions - living within the earths carrying capacity
Examples of how the ecosystem are the sources of all we consume?
-RESOURCES--> energy from the sun, grain, water, plants, and animals -human activity extracts resources and produces waste to produce, consumer, and dispose of materials (processing, packing, distribution, transportation)
Examples of how the ecosystem serves as a sink?
-We use resources (processing, packaging, distribution, transportation, and consumption - this makes waste -waste includes run-off, solid waste, Co2 emissions, erosion
how can individuals decrease ecological footprints?
-adopting sustainable practices, and nations can enforce policies and encourage sustainable development
What is an ecological footprint?
-an indicator that measures sustainability -may be measured on individuals levels or national levels -index tracks consumption and waste patterns of individuals, communities, businesses and nations
What do people/humans need?
-basic high for their material and physical well being -air, food, shelter, water
What 6 land use types does the ecological footprint use to track peoples use in resources?
-cropland -grasslands & Pasture -Forests -forest sinks -marine & inland waters -built up land
What is overshoot?
-ecological deficit -defined as taking more then nature can renew in terms of both sources and sinks
What are ecological footprints expressed in?
-global acres of biologically productive land
What are forest sinks?
-hide away CO2 emitted from the burning of fossil fuels
What are non- renewable resource?
-like fossil fuels and metals exist in finite amounts and cannot be replenished
What are renewable resources?
-like solar energy and trees -materials that can be replaced through natural processes
What does an ecological footprint measure?
-measures the amount of renewable and non-renewable ecologically productive LAND AREA required to support the resource demands and absorb wastes of a given population
What will redoing the global footprint require a combination of?
-population stabilization -reductions in consumption and waste levels -development of lower- impact technologies
What do forests provide?
-provide timber, wood fibers and fuelwood
What is overshoot for sources?
-taking more resources than the earth can provide or using them faster then they regenerate ex: harvesting forests faster than they can grow back
How is nature (the ecosystem) a form of sources and sinks?
-the ecosystem is the source of all we consume (resources) -the ecosystem also serves as a sink for all wastes
What does built up land provide?
accomadates infrastructure for housing, transportation, industry, and for capturing renewable energy
What does cropland provide?
provides crops for food, animal feed, fiber, and oil
What is overshoot for sinks?
putting more wastes into the ecosystem than the earth can absorb
What does marine and inland waters provide?
supply fish and other products
What does grasslands and pasture provide?
support grazing animals for meat, hides, wool, and milk
What is the solution to overshoot?
sustainability
How much of our planets natural capital have we overused?
we overuse out planets natural capital by up to 25 %
