What is an Ecological Footprint (EF)? How do we measure our EF? Why strive for a smaller EF?

Everything required for all plants and animals to survive comes from the Earth’s natural resources and services.

What are ecological footprints? “Ecological footprints are an environmental accounting tool that lets us estimate the resource use and waste disposal requirements of a human population in terms of biologically productive land and sea area.” Adapted from “Our Ecological Footprint” by Mathis Wackernagel and Bill Rees (1995)

18% Biologically Productive Land 11% Deserts, Ice Caps and Barren Land 67% Low- Productivity Ocean 4% Biologically Productive Ocean OUR EARTH

Calculating an Ecological Footprint (EF) EF = Food Footprint (land and water to produce food) +Carbon Footprint (land and water to absorb CO 2 ) +Housing Footprint (land for housing, buildings and roads) +Goods and Service Footprint (land to provide for all consumer goods and services)

Ecological footprints are calculated in hectares. So how big is a hectare? 1 hectare = 100 m x 100 m 1 hectare = about 1.3 soccer fields What is a hectare?

How many hectares are available? Using EF calculation methods there are about 16 ha of biologically productive land available per person The amount of biologically productive land available per person decreases as: (1) the population increases, and as (2) humans degrade ecosystems

What is an average Canadian’s EF? Individual Canadians have an average EF = 70 ha (700,000 m 2 or 85 soccer fields) We have one of the largest ecological footprints worldwide The available EF land per person = 16 ha Worldwide the average person has an EF = 23 ha

Ecological “Overshoot”: We are taking resources faster than the Earth can regenerate them!

Ecological “Overshoot” According to the World Wildlife Federation’s Living Planet Report, we are using the Earth’s resources 25% faster than the resources can be renewed.

How can we reduce our EF?

What can we do? Taking Action:  We can buy less stuff, and buy things that last longer  3R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle)  Plant trees or a garden  Walk and cycle more, take public transportation  Wear a sweater, turn the thermostat down  Eat less meat, eat local and/or organic, eat less processed food

How can we reduce our EF?

My footprint in Canada My footprint in China

My footprint in Canada My footprint in China