UPPP8 Lecture 10/22: Ecological footprints

Ecological Footprint

Land and water needed for resource consumption and waste absorption
EC for a specific region = total area required to produce the food/fibers the region consumes

What does biocapacity refer to?

the capacity of an area or ecosystem to generate an ongoing supply of resources and to absorb its wastes

Global Biocapacity

Total biologically productive area available on Earth.

Biocapacity per Capita

Global biocapacity divided by world population, expressed in hectares.

Current Resource Usage

Humanity uses 1.75 Earths worth of resources annually.

Water Footprint

Volume of water needed to produce materials/goods and services

Carbon Footprint

Carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from material production.

Components of Ecological Footprint

Includes crops, grazing, timber, fish, infrastructure, and CO2 absorption.

Hectares per Year

Unit for expressing biocapacity and ecological footprint.