Ecological Footprint 1/10

Ecological Footprint (1/10)

Anthropocene

The geologic period where humans have been the dominant factor in changes of the earth.

The Great Acceleration

Socioeconomic & Earth-System Trends accelerate

• increasing human population

• increasing energy use

• increasing CO₂ emissions

Formula to Measure Total Human Impact

Ecological Footprint Accounting (2 Types)

1. Biocapactiy

2. Ecological Footprint / Global Footprint Network

Biocapacity

• Measures the earth’s ability to regenerate itself based on what we are doing to it (hectares)

• 2.11 billion hectares of productive earth

Ecological Footprint

• When do we surpass our biocapacity limits each year

• How fast we consume resources and gather waste

Global Footprint Network

Organization that promotes sustainability decisions

Problems w. Ecological Footprint / Global Footprint Network

• individualizes the problem

• masks historical causes (deforestation)