Footprint Image (6/02) Ecological Footprints Measuring Resource Consumption and Sustainability

I. What is an Ecological Footprint? 1.Definition: The amount of nature required to produce the resources (food, energy and materials) and to absorb the wastes of an individual, city, region or country over time. 2.Sustainable Footprint: Nature provides an average of 5 acres of productive space for every person in the world at current population levels.

II. Sustainability of Earth 1.Sustainability - On a global scale, when resources are being renewed at the rate at which they are being used, humanity’s footprint is “sustainable”. Resource consumption and production are in balance and human lifestyles can be maintained. 2.Unsustainability - When humanity’s footprint exceeds the planet’s ecological limits by using resources more quickly than they can be renewed, it’s footprint is “unsustainable”. Resource consumption and production are not in balance and human lifestyles cannot be maintained indefinitely.

III. Global Footprint Trends 1.Humanity’s Total Footprint - In the late 1970’s, humanity’s ecological footprint became unsustainable and has remained this way ever since. By 2000, the ecological deficit reached nearly 1 acre per person. Humanity’s footprint is currently over 30% larger than what nature can provide. Figure 1

IV. Our Ecological Footprint 1.United States - In 2000, the United States became the nation with the largest per capita ecological footprint on the planet. The average footprint for an individual living in the U.S. is 23.6 acres. Figure 2

IV. Our Ecological Footprint 2.Bay Area - The average footprint for an individual living in the Bay Area is 20.9 acres. 3.Marin County - The average footprint for an individual living in the Bay Area is 21.5 acres. It would take 4.5 Earths to support the human population if everyone had a footprint this size!

V. Calculating Your Ecological Footprint 1.How big is your ecological footprint?

1.Global Footprint Sources - The biggest portion (47%) of the global Ecological Footprint is from the burning of fossil fuels. The next most significant portion (29%) is the utilization of cropland and pastureland. VI. Trends in Footprint Sources Figure 3

VI. Trends in Footprint Sources 2.Footprint Sources and Lower Income Levels (LDC’s) - Nearly half is attributable to the utilization of cropland 3.Footprint Sources and Higher Income Levels (MDC’s) - Over half is attributable to the use of energy land and the consumption of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas). Figure 4 Figure 5

3.Marin County Footprint Sources -

VII. Reducing Our Ecological Footprint 1.Reduce Consumption of Energy Land - Construct buildings out of recycled materials that rely more on renewable energy such as wind and solar. Encourage the use of public transportation and make it more accessible. Reduce the use of single passenger vehicles. Use energy efficient lightbulbs. Shift thermostats down in the winter and up in the summer. Install energy efficient showerheads and low-flow faucet aerators.

VII. Reducing Our Ecological Footprint 2.Reduce Consumption of Forest Land, Croplands and Pastures - Use sustainably harvested wood products and recycled building materials. Encourage reuse of materials after demolition of buildings. Recycle and reuse paper products. Eat less red meat to decrease consumption of grain, topsoil and water.