OUR ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT INTRODUCTION TO RESOURCES & INDUSTRY

TRUE OR FALSE? Humans are the only resource-consuming species on Earth. FALSE! Humans are only one species of about 30 million resource- consuming species on the planet.

TRUE OR FALSE? In order to determine how much of earth we are using, we must calculate the consumption for not only an individual, but also for a family, city, and country. TRUE! Our Ecological Footprint (EF) defines how much of the earth we use overall for our food, clothing, play, energy, shelter, waste, etc. as humans.

TRUE OR FALSE? Approximately, 60% of our planet is productive. This means that the planet can generally produce more natural resources that we use. FALSE! Only 25% of our planet is productive! Around 12.5 billion hectares of the Earth is made of productive land and water. Science has indicated that within the last 50 years, our Ecological Footprints appears to have surpassed the earth’s limits. Thus, at our current consumption rate, there is not enough earth to meet our demands!

TRUE OR FALSE? Ecological footprint calculations are those that determine how much of the earth we use on a daily basis. When determining our footprint, we should focus on non- renewable resources since they will run out, unlike renewable resources which will not disappear. FALSE! Unfortunately, renewable resources like water, timber, and fruits and vegetables will eventually run out as well! This is why it is important to use the resources we have efficiently.

WHAT IS AN ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT? Ecological footprints are a way of measuring humanity’s impact on the Earth. A “footprint” shows the cost to sustain one person on Earth. It is measured in hectares. (1 hectare = approximately 1.5 football fields) Alternately, an ecological footprint can be reflected by the “number of Earths” needed if everyone lived like you. Your ecological footprint represents the land area needed to provide for a person (you!).

WHAT AFFECTS OUR FOOTPRINT?

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINTS AROUND THE WORLD (IN HECTARES)

WHY IS CANADA’S FOOTPRINT SO BIG? (BRAINSTORM 5 REASONS WHY THIS MIGHT BE.)

CANADA’S ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT HECTARES TYPE OF LAND USE 0.2 Land required for “water use” (drinking and seafood) 1.6 Farmland required for food production 0.3 Grazing land needed for meat and dairy products 1.4 Land required for timber and paper products 4.7 Land needed to account for greenhouse gasses produced by driving, air conditioners, and the import/export of goods 8.6 AVERAGE CANADIAN TOTAL

INT’L ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS

YOUR PERSONAL EARTH SHARE… 12.5 billion hectares of productive land and water on earth 6.4 billion people in the world This means our own “personal earth share” is only approximately 1.95 hectares! (12.5 billion / 6.4 billion = about 1.95)

NOW CALCULATE YOUR FOOTPRINT! Complete the “My Ecological Footprint” worksheet. Discuss your results! Fill out the reflection sheet. REQUIRED READING: Pages 85-87 On page 85, complete questions 1 & 2 Pages 90-93 On page 91, complete question 1 On page 93, complete questions 1 – 3