This document discusses how human ecological footprints are affecting the Earth. It defines key terms like renewable resources, nonrenewable resources, and environmental degradation. It explains that as ecological footprints grow, they deplete and degrade more of the Earth's natural capital. The ecological footprint is the amount of land and water needed to supply people with resources and absorb waste. Currently, humans need 1.3 Earths worth of resources, with high-income countries accounting for 88% of the deficit. Developed countries have a disproportionate impact despite making up only 19% of the global population. The tragedy of the commons explains how openly shared resources can be degraded when users focus only on short-term gains.

1. 1-2 How Are Our1-2 How Are Our
EcologicalEcological
FootprintsFootprints
Affecting theAffecting the
EarthEarthBy Mr. “pizza mmmm” ChapmanBy Mr. “pizza mmmm” Chapman

2. Voc WordsVoc Words
 PerpetualPerpetual resourceresource – renewed continuously (Solar– renewed continuously (Solar
energy)energy)
 Renewable resourceRenewable resource – days to centuries (water, air,– days to centuries (water, air,
forests,forests, soilsoil, fish populations), fish populations)
 NonrenewableNonrenewable – fixed quantities (fossil fuels, metals,– fixed quantities (fossil fuels, metals,
minerals)minerals)
 Environmental degradationEnvironmental degradation -- exceeds naturalexceeds natural
replacement rate.replacement rate.
 As our ecological footprints grow, we deplete andAs our ecological footprints grow, we deplete and
degrade more of the earth’s natural capital.degrade more of the earth’s natural capital.

3. Fig. 1-4, p. 10

4. Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint
 Ecological footprintEcological footprint
 The amount of land and water needed to supplyThe amount of land and water needed to supply
people in a given area with renewable resourcespeople in a given area with renewable resources
forever.forever.
 Also includes the land and water necessary toAlso includes the land and water necessary to
absorb and recycle wastes and pollutionabsorb and recycle wastes and pollution

5. Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint
 Per capita ecological footprintPer capita ecological footprint
 Average ecological footprint of anAverage ecological footprint of an
individual in a given area (takes intoindividual in a given area (takes into
account number of people)account number of people)
 China – large ecological footprint because soChina – large ecological footprint because so
many peoplemany people
 China – small per capita footprint each personChina – small per capita footprint each person
only contributes a littleonly contributes a little

6. Fig. 1-5, p. 11
Stepped Art

7. Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint
 Ecological deficitEcological deficit
 Total ecological footprint greater than whatTotal ecological footprint greater than what
the earth can supportthe earth can support
 2008 study: at least 30% global excess2008 study: at least 30% global excess
 Humans currently need 1.3 earthsHumans currently need 1.3 earths
 88% for high-income countries88% for high-income countries
 Need 6 earths if everyone lived likeNeed 6 earths if everyone lived like
AmericansAmericans

8. Fig. 1-7, p. 13
Environmental
impact of population
(I)
Developing Countries
Population (P)
Developed Countries
Consumption
per person
(affluence, A)
Technological impact
per unit of
consumption (T)

9. Developed CountriesDeveloped Countries
Have Higher ImpactsHave Higher Impacts
 Developed countries (1Developed countries (1stst
world)world)
 United States, Japan, New Zealand,United States, Japan, New Zealand,
most of Europe, some othersmost of Europe, some others
 19% world population19% world population
 Use 88% of world’s resourcesUse 88% of world’s resources
 Create 75% of world’s pollutionCreate 75% of world’s pollution

10. Developing CountriesDeveloping Countries (2(2ndnd
World)World)
 81% world population81% world population
 Middle income: Brazil, China, IndiaMiddle income: Brazil, China, India

11. Least DevelopedLeast Developed (3(3rdrd
world)world) Countries: Haiti, Nigeria, NicaraguaCountries: Haiti, Nigeria, Nicaragua
 Use far fewer resources per capita (perUse far fewer resources per capita (per
person) than developed countriesperson) than developed countries
 Smaller per capita ecological footprintSmaller per capita ecological footprint

12. Tragedy of theTragedy of the
CommonsCommons
 Environmental degradation of openlyEnvironmental degradation of openly
shared renewable resourcesshared renewable resources
 Users focus on their own selfish, short-Users focus on their own selfish, short-
term gainterm gain
 Works when only a small number ofWorks when only a small number of
usersusers
 Big part of why humans now liveBig part of why humans now live
unsustainablyunsustainably