The report, “State of the States: A New Perspective on the Wealth of Our Nation,” details the Ecological Footprint and resource availability of 50 states and the District of Columbia. Created in collaboration with Earth Economics in Tacoma, Washington, the report finds that resource consumption and availability varies dramatically state by state.
New Study: Mediterranean countries fall short of achieving region's vision of sustainable development. Food and cities offer opportunities to manage resources more sustainably.
2015 has been a very important year for humanity and the health of our planet. With your generous support, we made substantial strides advancing global sustainability in 2015. Click on the slideshow below for highlights from the year.
State of the States Report: A new perspective on the wealth of our nationKatelin Breck
The report, “State of the States: A New Perspective on the Wealth of Our Nation,” details the Ecological Footprint and resource availability of 50 states and the District of Columbia. Created in collaboration with Earth Economics in Tacoma, Washington, the report finds that resource consumption and availability varies dramatically state by state.
The document discusses issues related to population growth, resource consumption, and sustainability. It notes that if the global population reaches 9.6 billion by 2050, it will require the resources of three planets to sustain current lifestyles. It provides statistics on food waste and potential energy savings from efficient light bulbs. It also discusses challenges with fresh water access, pollution, and stresses on water resources from population growth. Sustainable consumption of resources like energy, food, and water is important to reduce environmental impacts and meet needs of a growing global population.
1) The document discusses issues related to sustainable development goals (SDGs), focusing on SDG 12 which addresses sustainable consumption and production. It notes the increasing strain on natural resources from population growth and current lifestyles.
2) Key facts presented include water scarcity issues, the amount of food wasted each year, and problems related to land degradation threatening food supply.
3) The document outlines Uganda's strategies to achieve SDG 12 through policies, plans and partnerships focused on areas like sustainable energy, green jobs, climate adaptation, and integrating the SDGs into national development planning.
The document discusses sustainable development and climate change issues in India. It notes that while India has strongly accepted the science of climate change, more action is needed on multilateral agreements. It outlines key challenges like increasing population, urbanization, and growing demands on land and water resources. However, India has also made progress through policies promoting renewable energy, poverty reduction, and literacy. The document discusses international collaboration through conferences like Rio+20 and efforts to set targets and provide finance and technology to developing countries.
This document provides information about Korea's ecological footprint and biocapacity from the Korea Ecological Footprint Report 2016. It discusses how the ecological footprint measures human demand on nature, while biocapacity measures the ecosystems' ability to meet that demand. The key findings are that the average Korean has an ecological footprint eight times larger than Korea's biocapacity, fisheries make up the largest component of Korea's biocapacity, and the carbon footprint makes up 73% of Korea's total ecological footprint.
The document provides background on brownfield sites and contamination in the United States. It discusses the environmental and public health problems posed by brownfield sites, including ecosystem and human health impacts. Common contaminants found at brownfield sites like lead, VOCs, and asbestos are profiled. The document then outlines approaches to remediating brownfield sites, including risk assessment and common techniques like soil vapor extraction. It discusses how remediation decisions must be made on a site-by-site basis. The role of Groundwork Trusts in equitable brownfield redevelopment is covered. Finally, the Groundwork USA Trust Act of 2015, which would provide funding for nonprofit remediation efforts, is introduced.
New Study: Mediterranean countries fall short of achieving region's vision of sustainable development. Food and cities offer opportunities to manage resources more sustainably.
2015 has been a very important year for humanity and the health of our planet. With your generous support, we made substantial strides advancing global sustainability in 2015. Click on the slideshow below for highlights from the year.
State of the States Report: A new perspective on the wealth of our nationKatelin Breck
The report, “State of the States: A New Perspective on the Wealth of Our Nation,” details the Ecological Footprint and resource availability of 50 states and the District of Columbia. Created in collaboration with Earth Economics in Tacoma, Washington, the report finds that resource consumption and availability varies dramatically state by state.
The document discusses issues related to population growth, resource consumption, and sustainability. It notes that if the global population reaches 9.6 billion by 2050, it will require the resources of three planets to sustain current lifestyles. It provides statistics on food waste and potential energy savings from efficient light bulbs. It also discusses challenges with fresh water access, pollution, and stresses on water resources from population growth. Sustainable consumption of resources like energy, food, and water is important to reduce environmental impacts and meet needs of a growing global population.
1) The document discusses issues related to sustainable development goals (SDGs), focusing on SDG 12 which addresses sustainable consumption and production. It notes the increasing strain on natural resources from population growth and current lifestyles.
2) Key facts presented include water scarcity issues, the amount of food wasted each year, and problems related to land degradation threatening food supply.
3) The document outlines Uganda's strategies to achieve SDG 12 through policies, plans and partnerships focused on areas like sustainable energy, green jobs, climate adaptation, and integrating the SDGs into national development planning.
The document discusses sustainable development and climate change issues in India. It notes that while India has strongly accepted the science of climate change, more action is needed on multilateral agreements. It outlines key challenges like increasing population, urbanization, and growing demands on land and water resources. However, India has also made progress through policies promoting renewable energy, poverty reduction, and literacy. The document discusses international collaboration through conferences like Rio+20 and efforts to set targets and provide finance and technology to developing countries.
This document provides information about Korea's ecological footprint and biocapacity from the Korea Ecological Footprint Report 2016. It discusses how the ecological footprint measures human demand on nature, while biocapacity measures the ecosystems' ability to meet that demand. The key findings are that the average Korean has an ecological footprint eight times larger than Korea's biocapacity, fisheries make up the largest component of Korea's biocapacity, and the carbon footprint makes up 73% of Korea's total ecological footprint.
The document provides background on brownfield sites and contamination in the United States. It discusses the environmental and public health problems posed by brownfield sites, including ecosystem and human health impacts. Common contaminants found at brownfield sites like lead, VOCs, and asbestos are profiled. The document then outlines approaches to remediating brownfield sites, including risk assessment and common techniques like soil vapor extraction. It discusses how remediation decisions must be made on a site-by-site basis. The role of Groundwork Trusts in equitable brownfield redevelopment is covered. Finally, the Groundwork USA Trust Act of 2015, which would provide funding for nonprofit remediation efforts, is introduced.
Sustainable Economic Development - Class 11AnjaliKaur3
Sustainable Economic Development is very important these days especially for countries like India. This PPT will be useful for the students preparing for their presentations, examinations and for the teachers to use it as a teaching aid.
This document discusses key environmental issues and conservation efforts. It provides facts on issues like access to clean water and the impacts of deforestation and climate change. It then summarizes challenges in South Africa, including high biodiversity threatened by habitat loss, water scarcity exacerbated by population growth, and an energy system reliant on coal. Conservation efforts in the country aim to protect natural resources and transition to renewable energy, but implementation of laws and policies remains a challenge. Supporting environmental sustainability through projects that enlist leadership and develop local expertise can help address issues in a sustainable way.
The document discusses sustainable consumption and production patterns (SCP), which is Goal 12 of the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It provides background on SCP, noting that while recognized as important since the 1990s, it was not addressed by the Millennium Development Goals. The goal of SCP is to meet needs and improve living standards while minimizing environmental impacts over the full life cycle of products and services. The target areas of Goal 12 include sustainable resource management, reducing food waste and plastic pollution, shifting to more sustainable business practices, and increasing awareness of sustainable lifestyles. Achieving SCP will create synergies and support other development goals related to food, water, energy and climate change
The United States has made progress on environmental protection through laws and regulations since the 1970s, but still has work to do. While manufacturing companies now comply with environmental regulations and recycling has increased, issues like conserving water and protecting wildlife still require long-term comprehensive planning. In response, many cities and universities have formed sustainability offices and adopted green plans using new technologies. However, continued highway expansion promotes sprawl and vehicle emissions, threatening species through habitat loss and collisions. More sustainable transportation options like light rail are needed.
Responsible Consumption and Production: RCE Saskatchewan Leadership in a Glob...ESD UNU-IAS
Responsible Consumption and Production: RCE Saskatchewan Leadership in a Global Higher Education Cluster for the SDGs
Case Study Presentation
Dr. Roger Petry, RCE Saskatchewan
8th Americas Regional Meeting
23-25 September, 2019, Burlington, USA
This document discusses several key issues relating to the environment and natural resources in global politics. It covers topics such as declining agriculture and forests, pollution problems like coastal pollution and the ozone hole, challenges in protecting global commons, differing responsibilities between developed and developing countries, pressures on common property resources, important environmental movements, resource geopolitics concerning items like oil and water, and rights of indigenous peoples.
The Rockefeller Foundation’s Oceans & Fisheries work aims to increase the health and productivity of coastal fisheries by replacing unsustainable fishing practices with innovative approaches that recognize the full, long-term value of sustainable marine ecosystems and that improve the economic, nutritional, and social conditions of the poor and vulnerable people whose well-being depends on these near-shore fisheries.
: This article aims to show the biggest environmental problems facing humanity in the contemporary era, to demonstrate the need to replace the current development model for the sustainable development model and to specify the necessary measures to overcome the biggest environmental problems, among which includes education for sustainable development..
Today, April 22, is celebrated the International Earth Day instituted since 1970 in the United States and recognized by the UN in 2009. Planet Earth faces the highest extinction rate since we lost dinosaurs more than 60 million years ago thanks to actions predatory forces promoted by capitalism from the 1st Industrial Revolution in the seventeenth century to the present. Climate change, deforestation, unsustainable agriculture, pollution and the use of pesticides are some of the human causes of declining biodiversity.
This document provides an overview and analysis of progress towards UN Millennium Development Goal 7 of ensuring environmental sustainability across 5 countries: Brazil, China, Nigeria, Sweden, and the US. It examines each country's performance on 4 key indicators: forest coverage, CO2 emissions, ozone-depleting substances, and water use. While some countries like Brazil, China, and Nigeria still face challenges of deforestation and pollution, others like Sweden and the US have made strides in reducing their environmental impact through policies supporting reforestation, emissions controls, and phasing out ozone-harming chemicals. Overall progress on MDG7 has been mixed depending on the country.
Adelaide is considered a highly liveable city according to several liveability indexes. It scored over 96.6% across categories like stability, healthcare, education, culture and environment, and infrastructure. Specifically, Adelaide received high marks for affordability, cleanliness, safety, and arts/culture due to its many festivals. However, it has weaknesses in economic opportunities and public transportation. To improve liveability further, Adelaide is focusing on increasing housing density near transit, expanding green spaces, and promoting active transportation.
This document discusses sustainable consumption and the circular economy. It notes that while progress has been made, western societies still lead in consumption and developing countries seek to emulate unsustainable western growth models. Current economic growth is still linked to rising consumption, putting pressure on limited resources. A circular economy approach is needed to address these challenges and close the expected gap between global food availability and demand by 2050 through solutions like reducing food loss and waste, improving productivity, and shifting to more sustainable diets. Some signs of corporate leadership on sustainability issues are emerging but it remains a low priority for many boards. An approach beyond business as usual is required to manage risks to the environment and economy.
Natural Resources Definitions Trade Patterns and GlobalisationDr Lendy Spires
This document provides an overview of natural resources trade. It begins by defining natural resources as stocks of scarce materials that exist naturally and are economically useful in production or consumption after minimal processing. Key features of natural resources discussed include their exhaustibility, uneven geographical distribution, potential for negative externalities, dominance in some national economies, and price volatility. Statistical data on global trade flows of natural resources like fuels, ores, metals, fish and forestry products are presented to illustrate the magnitude and patterns of trade. Financial markets and historical perspectives on technological change, trade liberalization and perceptions of scarcity in relation to natural resources are also examined.
This document summarizes several blog posts on the topic of sustainable development and construction. It discusses sustainable communities and urban planning, focusing on compact development, mixed uses, pedestrian access, and transit-oriented development. It also covers energy and carbon topics like current U.S. energy use, sources, and the rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Key sustainable indicators and government agencies working on sustainability are mentioned as well.
This document discusses the problems of and solutions for sustainable development. It defines sustainable development as meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs. It outlines that the planet has finite resources and examines concepts like ecological footprint. It warns of issues like overpopulation, resource depletion, and pollution. Solutions proposed include political cooperation, adopting circular economies, renewable energy, and prioritizing social well-being.
India has made sustainable development a national priority through various policies and initiatives. It established the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 1985 to coordinate this effort. Key pillars of India's approach include promoting social development, environmental protection, and economic growth. India also actively participates in global climate change discussions and signed the Paris Agreement in 2015 with targets of reducing emissions intensity, increasing non-fossil fuel use, and creating a carbon sink.
The degradation of natural infrastructure like mangroves, wetlands, and coral reefs in urban coastal areas is a significant and growing problem that disproportionately impacts poor populations. Coastal ecosystems provide important benefits like food, income, and protection from hazards, but around half of these ecosystems have been lost globally since 1900 due to development and land use changes. This is especially pressing in Asia and Africa where populations are rapidly growing in coastal cities and rely heavily on natural resources. Continued degradation of remaining coastal ecosystems from climate change and development could lead to irreversible losses of natural infrastructure protection for tens of millions of vulnerable urban coastal dwellers worldwide.
Environmental issues emerging from increase in populationDevansh Tiwari
More people require more resources, which means that as the population increases, the Earth’s resources deplete more rapidly. The result of this depletion is deforestation and loss of biodiversity as humans strip the Earth of resources to accommodate rising population numbers
The document discusses the concept and principles of sustainable development. It defines sustainable development as an approach to economic development that does not compromise the environment and resources for future generations. It explains that sustainable development can be achieved through limiting human impacts, replacing used resources, minimizing pollution, and sensible use of natural resources. The three pillars of sustainable development are described as economic, social, and environmental development. Finally, it provides examples of sustainable practices like wind and solar energy, crop rotation, and sustainable construction.
The document discusses REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), a UN-led effort to create financial value for the carbon stored in forests. It aims to provide incentives for developing countries to reduce forest-related emissions and invest in low-carbon development. The UN-REDD Programme supports countries in preparing national REDD+ strategies, measuring and monitoring forest carbon stocks, and moving from readiness phases to implementation of their strategies through payments for emission reductions. REDD+ goes beyond deforestation to include conservation, sustainable forest management, and carbon stock enhancement.
This document provides an overview of various environmental problems, their causes, and concepts related to sustainability. It discusses global issues like overpopulation, overconsumption, poverty, and the tragedy of the commons. The IPAT model is introduced, which describes environmental impact as a function of population, affluence, and technology. The concept of ecological footprint is explained, showing that humanity currently uses more resources than what the planet can regenerate. Excluding environmental costs from market prices is also discussed. The document aims to educate about population issues and sustainability solutions.
Boulding Award Speech to ISEE 2012 by Mathis WackemagelOlinda Services
Dr. Mathis Wackernagel accepts the Kenneth Boulding Award with gratitude, feeling humbled but also a great sense of responsibility. Humanity is in a state of global ecological overshoot, using more than 1.5 times what the planet can regenerate annually. At the same time, many people lack sufficient resources for a dignified life. Ecological Economics, inspired by thinkers like Herman Daly, is uniquely positioned to address this "double challenge" but few have heeded Daly's call to action despite the growing urgency. The award is a gift to the larger community working on sustainability issues through organizations like Global Footprint Network. In a full world with finite resources, managing our natural capital use
Sustainable Economic Development - Class 11AnjaliKaur3
Sustainable Economic Development is very important these days especially for countries like India. This PPT will be useful for the students preparing for their presentations, examinations and for the teachers to use it as a teaching aid.
This document discusses key environmental issues and conservation efforts. It provides facts on issues like access to clean water and the impacts of deforestation and climate change. It then summarizes challenges in South Africa, including high biodiversity threatened by habitat loss, water scarcity exacerbated by population growth, and an energy system reliant on coal. Conservation efforts in the country aim to protect natural resources and transition to renewable energy, but implementation of laws and policies remains a challenge. Supporting environmental sustainability through projects that enlist leadership and develop local expertise can help address issues in a sustainable way.
The document discusses sustainable consumption and production patterns (SCP), which is Goal 12 of the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It provides background on SCP, noting that while recognized as important since the 1990s, it was not addressed by the Millennium Development Goals. The goal of SCP is to meet needs and improve living standards while minimizing environmental impacts over the full life cycle of products and services. The target areas of Goal 12 include sustainable resource management, reducing food waste and plastic pollution, shifting to more sustainable business practices, and increasing awareness of sustainable lifestyles. Achieving SCP will create synergies and support other development goals related to food, water, energy and climate change
The United States has made progress on environmental protection through laws and regulations since the 1970s, but still has work to do. While manufacturing companies now comply with environmental regulations and recycling has increased, issues like conserving water and protecting wildlife still require long-term comprehensive planning. In response, many cities and universities have formed sustainability offices and adopted green plans using new technologies. However, continued highway expansion promotes sprawl and vehicle emissions, threatening species through habitat loss and collisions. More sustainable transportation options like light rail are needed.
Responsible Consumption and Production: RCE Saskatchewan Leadership in a Glob...ESD UNU-IAS
Responsible Consumption and Production: RCE Saskatchewan Leadership in a Global Higher Education Cluster for the SDGs
Case Study Presentation
Dr. Roger Petry, RCE Saskatchewan
8th Americas Regional Meeting
23-25 September, 2019, Burlington, USA
This document discusses several key issues relating to the environment and natural resources in global politics. It covers topics such as declining agriculture and forests, pollution problems like coastal pollution and the ozone hole, challenges in protecting global commons, differing responsibilities between developed and developing countries, pressures on common property resources, important environmental movements, resource geopolitics concerning items like oil and water, and rights of indigenous peoples.
The Rockefeller Foundation’s Oceans & Fisheries work aims to increase the health and productivity of coastal fisheries by replacing unsustainable fishing practices with innovative approaches that recognize the full, long-term value of sustainable marine ecosystems and that improve the economic, nutritional, and social conditions of the poor and vulnerable people whose well-being depends on these near-shore fisheries.
: This article aims to show the biggest environmental problems facing humanity in the contemporary era, to demonstrate the need to replace the current development model for the sustainable development model and to specify the necessary measures to overcome the biggest environmental problems, among which includes education for sustainable development..
Today, April 22, is celebrated the International Earth Day instituted since 1970 in the United States and recognized by the UN in 2009. Planet Earth faces the highest extinction rate since we lost dinosaurs more than 60 million years ago thanks to actions predatory forces promoted by capitalism from the 1st Industrial Revolution in the seventeenth century to the present. Climate change, deforestation, unsustainable agriculture, pollution and the use of pesticides are some of the human causes of declining biodiversity.
This document provides an overview and analysis of progress towards UN Millennium Development Goal 7 of ensuring environmental sustainability across 5 countries: Brazil, China, Nigeria, Sweden, and the US. It examines each country's performance on 4 key indicators: forest coverage, CO2 emissions, ozone-depleting substances, and water use. While some countries like Brazil, China, and Nigeria still face challenges of deforestation and pollution, others like Sweden and the US have made strides in reducing their environmental impact through policies supporting reforestation, emissions controls, and phasing out ozone-harming chemicals. Overall progress on MDG7 has been mixed depending on the country.
Adelaide is considered a highly liveable city according to several liveability indexes. It scored over 96.6% across categories like stability, healthcare, education, culture and environment, and infrastructure. Specifically, Adelaide received high marks for affordability, cleanliness, safety, and arts/culture due to its many festivals. However, it has weaknesses in economic opportunities and public transportation. To improve liveability further, Adelaide is focusing on increasing housing density near transit, expanding green spaces, and promoting active transportation.
This document discusses sustainable consumption and the circular economy. It notes that while progress has been made, western societies still lead in consumption and developing countries seek to emulate unsustainable western growth models. Current economic growth is still linked to rising consumption, putting pressure on limited resources. A circular economy approach is needed to address these challenges and close the expected gap between global food availability and demand by 2050 through solutions like reducing food loss and waste, improving productivity, and shifting to more sustainable diets. Some signs of corporate leadership on sustainability issues are emerging but it remains a low priority for many boards. An approach beyond business as usual is required to manage risks to the environment and economy.
Natural Resources Definitions Trade Patterns and GlobalisationDr Lendy Spires
This document provides an overview of natural resources trade. It begins by defining natural resources as stocks of scarce materials that exist naturally and are economically useful in production or consumption after minimal processing. Key features of natural resources discussed include their exhaustibility, uneven geographical distribution, potential for negative externalities, dominance in some national economies, and price volatility. Statistical data on global trade flows of natural resources like fuels, ores, metals, fish and forestry products are presented to illustrate the magnitude and patterns of trade. Financial markets and historical perspectives on technological change, trade liberalization and perceptions of scarcity in relation to natural resources are also examined.
This document summarizes several blog posts on the topic of sustainable development and construction. It discusses sustainable communities and urban planning, focusing on compact development, mixed uses, pedestrian access, and transit-oriented development. It also covers energy and carbon topics like current U.S. energy use, sources, and the rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Key sustainable indicators and government agencies working on sustainability are mentioned as well.
This document discusses the problems of and solutions for sustainable development. It defines sustainable development as meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs. It outlines that the planet has finite resources and examines concepts like ecological footprint. It warns of issues like overpopulation, resource depletion, and pollution. Solutions proposed include political cooperation, adopting circular economies, renewable energy, and prioritizing social well-being.
India has made sustainable development a national priority through various policies and initiatives. It established the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 1985 to coordinate this effort. Key pillars of India's approach include promoting social development, environmental protection, and economic growth. India also actively participates in global climate change discussions and signed the Paris Agreement in 2015 with targets of reducing emissions intensity, increasing non-fossil fuel use, and creating a carbon sink.
The degradation of natural infrastructure like mangroves, wetlands, and coral reefs in urban coastal areas is a significant and growing problem that disproportionately impacts poor populations. Coastal ecosystems provide important benefits like food, income, and protection from hazards, but around half of these ecosystems have been lost globally since 1900 due to development and land use changes. This is especially pressing in Asia and Africa where populations are rapidly growing in coastal cities and rely heavily on natural resources. Continued degradation of remaining coastal ecosystems from climate change and development could lead to irreversible losses of natural infrastructure protection for tens of millions of vulnerable urban coastal dwellers worldwide.
Environmental issues emerging from increase in populationDevansh Tiwari
More people require more resources, which means that as the population increases, the Earth’s resources deplete more rapidly. The result of this depletion is deforestation and loss of biodiversity as humans strip the Earth of resources to accommodate rising population numbers
The document discusses the concept and principles of sustainable development. It defines sustainable development as an approach to economic development that does not compromise the environment and resources for future generations. It explains that sustainable development can be achieved through limiting human impacts, replacing used resources, minimizing pollution, and sensible use of natural resources. The three pillars of sustainable development are described as economic, social, and environmental development. Finally, it provides examples of sustainable practices like wind and solar energy, crop rotation, and sustainable construction.
The document discusses REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), a UN-led effort to create financial value for the carbon stored in forests. It aims to provide incentives for developing countries to reduce forest-related emissions and invest in low-carbon development. The UN-REDD Programme supports countries in preparing national REDD+ strategies, measuring and monitoring forest carbon stocks, and moving from readiness phases to implementation of their strategies through payments for emission reductions. REDD+ goes beyond deforestation to include conservation, sustainable forest management, and carbon stock enhancement.
This document provides an overview of various environmental problems, their causes, and concepts related to sustainability. It discusses global issues like overpopulation, overconsumption, poverty, and the tragedy of the commons. The IPAT model is introduced, which describes environmental impact as a function of population, affluence, and technology. The concept of ecological footprint is explained, showing that humanity currently uses more resources than what the planet can regenerate. Excluding environmental costs from market prices is also discussed. The document aims to educate about population issues and sustainability solutions.
Boulding Award Speech to ISEE 2012 by Mathis WackemagelOlinda Services
Dr. Mathis Wackernagel accepts the Kenneth Boulding Award with gratitude, feeling humbled but also a great sense of responsibility. Humanity is in a state of global ecological overshoot, using more than 1.5 times what the planet can regenerate annually. At the same time, many people lack sufficient resources for a dignified life. Ecological Economics, inspired by thinkers like Herman Daly, is uniquely positioned to address this "double challenge" but few have heeded Daly's call to action despite the growing urgency. The award is a gift to the larger community working on sustainability issues through organizations like Global Footprint Network. In a full world with finite resources, managing our natural capital use
The Ecological Footprint is a tool that measures humanity's demand on nature against the Earth's supply. It compares our consumption to the planet's biocapacity. In 2005, global footprint exceeded biocapacity, with humanity using 1.5 planets worth of resources. Canada has a footprint higher than world average but remains an "ecological creditor" with more domestic biocapacity. Ontario's 2005 per capita footprint of 8.4 global hectares is higher than Canada's average and would require 4 planets if everyone lived at that rate. Its larger footprint relates partly to consumption levels but also less efficient industries like manufacturing.
Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the e...Energy for One World
The report from the Special Rapporteur evaluates how large businesses have pushed civilization to the brink of disaster by exceeding planetary boundaries and evaluates frameworks for ensuring businesses respect human rights. Systemic changes are needed, including new business models that incorporate environmental limits, policies that internalize externalities, and goals beyond GDP growth. The Rapporteur provides extensive recommendations for states.
The document discusses whether Earth can sustain the resource demands of humanity, specifically the demands of a U.S. lifestyle. It finds that Earth cannot support a U.S. lifestyle for all people due to high consumption rates of fossil fuels, meat, paper and other resources. The U.S. uses disproportionately more resources than other countries despite having only 5% of the global population. Adopting more sustainable consumption patterns would reduce humanity's ecological footprint.
This document discusses the problem of food waste in America. It finds that 40% of food in the US goes uneaten each year, costing the average family of four between $1,350-2,275 annually. Food waste has negative environmental impacts as it squanders resources used in food production like land, water and oil. The document examines reasons for food waste at the consumer level in America, such as oversized portions, availability of cheap food, and marketing of deals that encourage overbuying. It suggests consumers have the power to reduce waste but must shift attitudes around valuing food more.
Food waste is a serious global issue, with about 1.3 billion tonnes (a third of all food produced) wasted each year. This wasted food could feed the 870 million malnourished people globally. Most food waste occurs at the production, distribution, and consumer levels. Reducing food waste through better consumer education and behaviors, improved infrastructure for storage and transport, and recycling of waste through processes like anaerobic digestion could significantly reduce environmental impacts from food production and help address world hunger.
This integrated media series is about my interest in humanity’s ecological footprint; a measurement of society’s demand on the environment and an approach to sustainability. It is a balancing act of resource consumption and waste discharge, every action taken towards using nature’s resources has an impact on Earth’s ecosystems, however is society playing fairly, or are they misplacing the value of nature in the act of mass consumption?
pursuing sustainable planetary prosperity chapter 18 US-China 2022Michael P Totten
China and the U.S. are the two largest consuming nations, their combined gross do- mestic products (GDPs) comprising one third of global GDP. The two nations consume one quarter of world natural gas and one third of world oil production, and produce nearly two thirds of world coal. The two nations are also the planet’s largest CO2 emitters, jointly releasing nearly half of the world total.
Business-as-usual scenarios are insufficient to address the acute sustainability challenges that both nations – as well as the community of nations
– are facing. However, collaboration in pursuing solutions through unprecedented statesmanship, leadership and technological advances will simultaneously provide national and global sustainability solutions.
Joint initiatives are in both of our nations’ enlightened self interest – from immediate and sustained economic and environmental gains to long-term well being and prosperity of our peoples – and will make a major, essential contribution to finding global solutions to the devastating risks facing hu- manity and the biosphere.
This document provides a summary of changes in fuel efficiency standards and energy independence in the United States. It discusses how the U.S. has moved towards reducing its oil imports and dependence through increased domestic production of shale gas, as well as new fuel efficiency standards set in 2025 that will cut vehicle CO2 emissions in half compared to 2010 levels. While critics worry this may increase driving, past efficiency improvements have not shown a rebound effect of increased driving undermining the environmental benefits. The document advocates for India to accelerate efforts to improve fuel efficiency to levels beyond the U.S. and China in order to reduce emissions and dependence on fuel.
This document provides information about Korea's ecological footprint and biocapacity from the Korea Ecological Footprint Report 2016. It discusses how the ecological footprint measures human demand on nature, while biocapacity measures the ecosystems' ability to meet that demand. The key findings are that the average Korean has an ecological footprint eight times larger than Korea's biocapacity, fisheries make up the largest component of Korea's biocapacity, and the carbon footprint makes up 73% of Korea's total ecological footprint.
Summary for policymakers of the global assessment report on
biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Intergovernmental
Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
- ADVANCE UNEDITED VERSION –
Humanity's ecological footprint is over 23% larger than what the planet can regenerate. It now takes over a year and two months for the Earth to regenerate what humanity uses in a single year, demonstrating ecological overshoot where resource demands exceed what nature can supply. The effects of overshoot include collapsing fisheries, climate change, species extinction, deforestation, and groundwater loss. Americans consume 40% more energy per person than the global average, with 68% of U.S. energy coming from fossil fuels that produce carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas causing global warming.
The ecological footprint of mediterranean dietswalled ashwah
This document analyzes the ecological footprint of food consumption in 15 Mediterranean countries from 1961 to 2008. It finds that all countries have either transitioned to or deepened their state of biocapacity deficit over this time period. The ecological footprint of food is a substantial contributor to countries' overall footprint, ranging from 20-70% depending on the country. Countries' per capita footprint of food consumption varies primarily based on dietary composition rather than total calories consumed. Diets higher in protein-rich foods like meat and fish have a much larger footprint than plant-based diets reliant on grains and produce. Egypt has one of the lowest footprints despite a high calorie diet, due to dietary habits focused on crops. Portugal has
The document discusses several challenges facing the global food supply, including population growth, increased demand for resource-intensive foods like meat, impacts of climate change, and dependence on fossil fuels throughout the food system from production to distribution. It notes that convergence of these trends has already led to declines in grain reserves and rising food prices in recent years. The challenges threaten global food security and will intensify as fossil fuel depletion accelerates.
Sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs. It requires balancing social progress, environmental protection, prudent resource use, and economic growth. However, continued economic growth risks depleting natural capital like forests, fisheries, water, and causing environmental degradation like climate change. Measuring wealth in terms of inclusive capital, including natural capital, shows lower growth rates than GDP in many countries due to resource depletion and pollution. Urgent action is needed to transition to more sustainable and equitable models of development and green growth.
This document discusses populations and the environment. It covers topics like population density, growth, and factors that affect population size. Exponential and logistic growth models are described. For human populations, improved healthcare led to lower death rates while birthrates remained high, causing rapid growth. The document also discusses environmental resources like soil, freshwater, and air. Issues like pollution, acid rain, ozone depletion, and global warming are covered. The importance of biodiversity and methods of conservation are presented.
This document discusses environmental psychology and various environmental issues affecting the earth. It defines environmental psychology as the study of how humans interact with and affect their surrounding environment. It then covers several topics within environmental psychology, including water pollution, deforestation, man-made disasters, overpopulation, and global warming. For each topic, it provides background information on causes and effects, as well as potential solutions to address these environmental problems.
Similar to State of the States Report: A new perspective on the wealth of our nation (20)
Epcon is One of the World's leading Manufacturing Companies.EpconLP
Epcon is One of the World's leading Manufacturing Companies. With over 4000 installations worldwide, EPCON has been pioneering new techniques since 1977 that have become industry standards now. Founded in 1977, Epcon has grown from a one-man operation to a global leader in developing and manufacturing innovative air pollution control technology and industrial heating equipment.
Optimizing Post Remediation Groundwater Performance with Enhanced Microbiolog...Joshua Orris
Results of geophysics and pneumatic injection pilot tests during 2003 – 2007 yielded significant positive results for injection delivery design and contaminant mass treatment, resulting in permanent shut-down of an existing groundwater Pump & Treat system.
Accessible source areas were subsequently removed (2011) by soil excavation and treated with the placement of Emulsified Vegetable Oil EVO and zero-valent iron ZVI to accelerate treatment of impacted groundwater in overburden and weathered fractured bedrock. Post pilot test and post remediation groundwater monitoring has included analyses of CVOCs, organic fatty acids, dissolved gases and QuantArray® -Chlor to quantify key microorganisms (e.g., Dehalococcoides, Dehalobacter, etc.) and functional genes (e.g., vinyl chloride reductase, methane monooxygenase, etc.) to assess potential for reductive dechlorination and aerobic cometabolism of CVOCs.
In 2022, the first commercial application of MetaArray™ was performed at the site. MetaArray™ utilizes statistical analysis, such as principal component analysis and multivariate analysis to provide evidence that reductive dechlorination is active or even that it is slowing. This creates actionable data allowing users to save money by making important site management decisions earlier.
The results of the MetaArray™ analysis’ support vector machine (SVM) identified groundwater monitoring wells with a 80% confidence that were characterized as either Limited for Reductive Decholorination or had a High Reductive Reduction Dechlorination potential. The results of MetaArray™ will be used to further optimize the site’s post remediation monitoring program for monitored natural attenuation.
Microbial characterisation and identification, and potability of River Kuywa ...Open Access Research Paper
Water contamination is one of the major causes of water borne diseases worldwide. In Kenya, approximately 43% of people lack access to potable water due to human contamination. River Kuywa water is currently experiencing contamination due to human activities. Its water is widely used for domestic, agricultural, industrial and recreational purposes. This study aimed at characterizing bacteria and fungi in river Kuywa water. Water samples were randomly collected from four sites of the river: site A (Matisi), site B (Ngwelo), site C (Nzoia water pump) and site D (Chalicha), during the dry season (January-March 2018) and wet season (April-July 2018) and were transported to Maseno University Microbiology and plant pathology laboratory for analysis. The characterization and identification of bacteria and fungi were carried out using standard microbiological techniques. Nine bacterial genera and three fungi were identified from Kuywa river water. Clostridium spp., Staphylococcus spp., Enterobacter spp., Streptococcus spp., E. coli, Klebsiella spp., Shigella spp., Proteus spp. and Salmonella spp. Fungi were Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus flavus complex and Penicillium species. Wet season recorded highest bacterial and fungal counts (6.61-7.66 and 3.83-6.75cfu/ml) respectively. The results indicated that the river Kuywa water is polluted and therefore unsafe for human consumption before treatment. It is therefore recommended that the communities to ensure that they boil water especially for drinking.
Kinetic studies on malachite green dye adsorption from aqueous solutions by A...Open Access Research Paper
Water polluted by dyestuffs compounds is a global threat to health and the environment; accordingly, we prepared a green novel sorbent chemical and Physical system from an algae, chitosan and chitosan nanoparticle and impregnated with algae with chitosan nanocomposite for the sorption of Malachite green dye from water. The algae with chitosan nanocomposite by a simple method and used as a recyclable and effective adsorbent for the removal of malachite green dye from aqueous solutions. Algae, chitosan, chitosan nanoparticle and algae with chitosan nanocomposite were characterized using different physicochemical methods. The functional groups and chemical compounds found in algae, chitosan, chitosan algae, chitosan nanoparticle, and chitosan nanoparticle with algae were identified using FTIR, SEM, and TGADTA/DTG techniques. The optimal adsorption conditions, different dosages, pH and Temperature the amount of algae with chitosan nanocomposite were determined. At optimized conditions and the batch equilibrium studies more than 99% of the dye was removed. The adsorption process data matched well kinetics showed that the reaction order for dye varied with pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order. Furthermore, the maximum adsorption capacity of the algae with chitosan nanocomposite toward malachite green dye reached as high as 15.5mg/g, respectively. Finally, multiple times reusing of algae with chitosan nanocomposite and removing dye from a real wastewater has made it a promising and attractive option for further practical applications.
ENVIRONMENT~ Renewable Energy Sources and their future prospects.tiwarimanvi3129
This presentation is for us to know that how our Environment need Attention for protection of our natural resources which are depleted day by day that's why we need to take time and shift our attention to renewable energy sources instead of non-renewable sources which are better and Eco-friendly for our environment. these renewable energy sources are so helpful for our planet and for every living organism which depends on environment.
Recycling and Disposal on SWM Raymond Einyu pptxRayLetai1
Increasing urbanization, rural–urban migration, rising standards of living, and rapid development associated with population growth have resulted in increased solid waste generation by industrial, domestic and other activities in Nairobi City. It has been noted in other contexts too that increasing population, changing consumption patterns, economic development, changing income, urbanization and industrialization all contribute to the increased generation of waste.
With the increasing urban population in Kenya, which is estimated to be growing at a rate higher than that of the country’s general population, waste generation and management is already a major challenge. The industrialization and urbanization process in the country, dominated by one major city – Nairobi, which has around four times the population of the next largest urban centre (Mombasa) – has witnessed an exponential increase in the generation of solid waste. It is projected that by 2030, about 50 per cent of the Kenyan population will be urban.
Aim:
A healthy, safe, secure and sustainable solid waste management system fit for a world – class city.
Improve and protect the public health of Nairobi residents and visitors.
Ecological health, diversity and productivity and maximize resource recovery through the participatory approach.
Goals:
Build awareness and capacity for source separation as essential components of sustainable waste management.
Build new environmentally sound infrastructure and systems for safe disposal of residual waste and replacing current dumpsites which should be commissioned.
Current solid waste management situation:
The status.
Solid waste generation rate is at 2240 tones / day
collection efficiently is at about 50%.
Actors i.e. city authorities, CBO’s , private firms and self-disposal
Current SWM Situation in Nairobi City:
Solid waste generation – collection – dumping
Good Practices:
• Separation – recycling – marketing.
• Open dumpsite dandora dump site through public education on source separation of waste, of which the situation can be reversed.
• Nairobi is one of the C40 cities in this respect , various actors in the solid waste management space have adopted a variety of technologies to reduce short lived climate pollutants including source separation , recycling , marketing of the recycled products.
• Through the network, it should expect to benefit from expertise of the different actors in the network in terms of applicable technologies and practices in reducing the short-lived climate pollutants.
Good practices:
Despite the dismal collection of solid waste in Nairobi city, there are practices and activities of informal actors (CBOs, CBO-SACCOs and yard shop operators) and other formal industrial actors on solid waste collection, recycling and waste reduction.
Practices and activities of these actor groups are viewed as innovations with the potential to change the way solid waste is handled.
CHALLENGES:
• Resource Allocation.
Evolving Lifecycles with High Resolution Site Characterization (HRSC) and 3-D...Joshua Orris
The incorporation of a 3DCSM and completion of HRSC provided a tool for enhanced, data-driven, decisions to support a change in remediation closure strategies. Currently, an approved pilot study has been obtained to shut-down the remediation systems (ISCO, P&T) and conduct a hydraulic study under non-pumping conditions. A separate micro-biological bench scale treatability study was competed that yielded positive results for an emerging innovative technology. As a result, a field pilot study has commenced with results expected in nine-twelve months. With the results of the hydraulic study, field pilot studies and an updated risk assessment leading site monitoring optimization cost lifecycle savings upwards of $15MM towards an alternatively evolved best available technology remediation closure strategy.
Climate Change All over the World .pptxsairaanwer024
Climate change refers to significant and lasting changes in the average weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It encompasses both global warming driven by human emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. While climate change is a natural phenomenon, human activities, particularly since the Industrial Revolution, have accelerated its pace and intensity
Presented by The Global Peatlands Assessment: Mapping, Policy, and Action at GLF Peatlands 2024 - The Global Peatlands Assessment: Mapping, Policy, and Action
Improving the viability of probiotics by encapsulation methods for developmen...Open Access Research Paper
The popularity of functional foods among scientists and common people has been increasing day by day. Awareness and modernization make the consumer think better regarding food and nutrition. Now a day’s individual knows very well about the relation between food consumption and disease prevalence. Humans have a diversity of microbes in the gut that together form the gut microflora. Probiotics are the health-promoting live microbial cells improve host health through gut and brain connection and fighting against harmful bacteria. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus are the two bacterial genera which are considered to be probiotic. These good bacteria are facing challenges of viability. There are so many factors such as sensitivity to heat, pH, acidity, osmotic effect, mechanical shear, chemical components, freezing and storage time as well which affects the viability of probiotics in the dairy food matrix as well as in the gut. Multiple efforts have been done in the past and ongoing in present for these beneficial microbial population stability until their destination in the gut. One of a useful technique known as microencapsulation makes the probiotic effective in the diversified conditions and maintain these microbe’s community to the optimum level for achieving targeted benefits. Dairy products are found to be an ideal vehicle for probiotic incorporation. It has been seen that the encapsulated microbial cells show higher viability than the free cells in different processing and storage conditions as well as against bile salts in the gut. They make the food functional when incorporated, without affecting the product sensory characteristics.
Improving the viability of probiotics by encapsulation methods for developmen...
State of the States Report: A new perspective on the wealth of our nation
1. State of the StatesA new perspective on the wealth of our nation
Global Footprint Network
1
2. Which states need
to start managing their
ecological budgets?
All of them. Why? Although the United States is one of the richest nations in the world
in terms of natural capital, it is running an ecological deficit. U.S. citizens demand twice the
renewable natural resources and services that are available within our nation’s borders.
Yet the economic vitality of our nation depends on these valuable ecological assets.
Because our economic system developed during a time when these resources
were abundant, decisions were made without considering the explicit contribution of nature
to economic activity. As these resources are becoming increasingly scarce worldwide,
we need new tools to manage them more effectively.
2
3. In 2015,Ecological Deficit
Day landed on July14.
U.S. Ecological Deficit Day marks the date when the United States has exceeded
nature’s budget for the year. The nation’s annual demand for the goods and services
that our land and seas can provide — fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, wood,
cotton for clothing, and carbon dioxide absorption — now exceeds what our nation’s
ecosystems can renew this year. Similar to how a person can go into debt with a
credit card, our nation is running an ecological deficit.
3
4. < 20 million ga
20 – 60 million ga
60 – 80 million ga
80 – 100 million ga
100 – 170 million ga
360 million ga
No data
Biocapacity
(in global acres)
The richest country?Almost. The United States is the third-richest country in the world, based on biocapacity,1
a measure of the biological productivity of its ecosystems. Brazil ranks first and China second.
Within the United States, biocapacity varies widely by state.
1
For a complete glossary of terms related to the Ecological Footprint and biocapacity, visit www.footprintnetwork.org/glossary. 4
5. Built-up land
Fishing grounds
Cropland
Carbon
Footprint
Forest land
Grazing land
Just as a bank statement tracks income against expenditures,
Global Footprint Network measures a population’s demand for and
ecosystems’ supply of resources and services.
On the supply side, a city, state, or nation’s biocapacity rep-
resents its biologically productive land and sea area, including forest
lands, grazing lands, cropland, fishing grounds, and built-up land.
On the demand side, the Ecological Footprint measures a
population’s demand for plant-based food and fiber products, live-
stock and fish products, timber and other forest products, space
for urban infrastructure, and forest to absorb its carbon dioxide
emissions from fossil fuels.
Both measures are expressed in global acres—globally
comparable, standardized acres with world average productivity.
Each city, state, or nation’s Ecological Footprint can be
compared to its biocapacity. If a population’s demand for ecological
assets exceeds the supply, that region runs an ecological deficit.
A region in ecological deficit meets demand by importing, liquidating
its own ecological assets (such as overfishing), and/or emitting
carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Measuring ecological wealth
For a more technical explanation of the calculations in this report, visit www.footprintnetwork.otrg/statestechnical. 5
6. Big Footprint
The United States has the second-largest
share of the world’s overall Ecological
Footprint, trailing only China, whose popula-
tion is more than four times that of the
United States. The total Footprint of the
United States is also nearly twice that of
India, although nearly four times as many
people live in India.
The per-person Ecological Footprint
in the United States is more than twice
that of China and more than seven times
that of India.
China
18% China
12% United States
6% India
3% Russian Federation
3% Brazil
58% Rest of world
SHARE OF GLOBAL ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT
6
7. Net biocapacityDifferent parts of the world are endowed with different resources and consume resources at different rates.
In a globalized world, countries meet their demand for resources through trade. As resources become increasingly
limited, countries running an ecological deficit can be exposed to economic risk if the costs of imports rise.
In addition to trade, countries can fall into ecological deficit if they emit more carbon dioxide than their own
ecosystems can absorb. Countries in this situation are more exposed to the risks of fossil fuels and carbon emissions
from burning fossil fuels becoming more expensive.
Russia
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0
-1.0
-2.0
-3.0
-4.0
GlobalAcres(inbillions)
Brazil
ChinaGermany United States
Ecological Creditor: Biocapacity larger than Ecological Footprint
Ecological Debtor: Ecological Footprint larger than biocapacity
7
9. Comparing New York, the state with the lowest Ecological Footprint per capita,
and Virginia, the state with the highest, exposes striking differences.
Breaking down the Ecological Footprint by
land type shows that New York’s carbon
footprint per person is nearly half that of Vir-
ginia, driven in part by the higher density of
New York City, which enables greater public
transit use. In addition, Virginia produces and
consumes substantially more coal than
New York.2
Another breakdown of the Ecological
Footprint, by consumption category, reveals
housing and transportation are driving
Footprint differences in New York and
Virginia. Housing comprises a larger
portion of Virginia’s Footprint than in New York,
in part, because the average house in Virginia
is larger than in New York.3
Transportation
demand is higher in Virginia because the
state is less compact than New York.
Urban vs.suburban
2, 3
U.S. Energy Information Administration.
NewYork 14.2
global acres per person
Footprint by
LAND TYPE
Footprint by
CONSUMPTION
Virginia 24.6
global acres per person
Footprint by
LAND TYPE
Footprint by
CONSUMPTION
Food
Housing
Personal Transportation
Goods
Services
Government
Major Infrastructure (housing
bridges, roads, factories)
Carbon Footprint
Built-up land
Fishing ground
Forest land
Grazing land
Cropland
ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT
By land type By consumption category
9
10. Our addiction to fossil fuels
Renewables
(percent of primary
energy consumption from
renewables, 2013)
Carbon Footprint4
(global acres per capita)
The carbon footprint comprises 67 percent of the Ecological Footprint of the entire United States, up from 53 percent
in 1961.The United States’ unusually high per person carbon footprint — 8th highest in the world — exposes
the nation to more risk should fossil fuels become less available, more expensive, or even obsolete in the future.
%
Brazil1.4
33.5%
China 2.8
9.9%
Germany 6.0
11.7%
Russia 6.8
5.9%
United States 11.5
5.4%
World 3.6
9.3%
4
One global acre of forest can absorb 1.4 tons of carbon dioxide. Source: BP. June 2015. BP Statistical Review of World Energy. 10
12. Who is heating up?
Source: Risky Business/Rhodium Group, based on peer-reviewed climate science projections.7,8
Risky Business Project. 2014. Climate Change and the Economy: Texas.
In a world of growing ecological constraints, climate change puts our ecological wealth at risk, threatening
crops and forests. By the middle of this century, the average American will likely see 27 to 50 days over 95°F
each year — two to three times more than what we’ve seen over the past 30 years.7
In Texas, for instance, such
temperature increases will likely reduce crop yields, especially for cotton, the state’s largest crop.8
Extreme heat
also has social costs, including higher mortality rates.
Heat map key: Average days per year over 95°
1981–2010 2080–2099 Biocapacity
0 10 20 35 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 250
12
13. Thirsty statesWater scarcity also threatens our ecological assets. Climate change is contributing to drought, particularly in California.
Some states with the greatest natural capital wealth, including Texas and Michigan, are vulnerable to drought and water
shortages, which then reduce the productivity of crop and grazing lands. An analysis of baseline water stress shows
states in the western half of the United States are likely to face the greatest competition for water.
Low (<10%)
Low to medium (10–20%)
Medium to high (20%–40%)
High (40%– 80%)
Extremely high (>80%)
No Data
2010 baseline water stress
Low (<10%)
Low to medium (10-20%)
Medium to high (20-40%)
High (40-80%)
Extremely high (>80%)
Arid & low water use
No data Source: World Resources Institute
2010 baseline water stress
Low (<10%)
Low to medium (10-20%)
Medium to high (20-40%)
High (40-80%)
Extremely high (>80%)
Arid & low water use
No data Source: World Resources Institute
2010 baseline water stress
Low (<10%)
Low to medium (10-20%)
Medium to high (20-40%)
High (40-80%)
Extremely high (>80%)
Arid & low water use
No data Source: World Resources Institute
2010 baseline water stress
Low (<10%)
Low to medium (10-20%)
Medium to high (20-40%)
High (40-80%)
Extremely high (>80%)
Arid & low water use
No data Source: World Resources Institute
2010 baseline water stress
Low (<10%)
Low to medium (10-20%)
Medium to high (20-40%)
High (40-80%)
Extremely high (>80%)
Arid & low water use
No data Source: World Resources Institute
2010 baseline water stress
Low (<10%)
Low to medium (10-20%)
Medium to high (20-40%)
High (40-80%)
Extremely high (>80%)
Arid & low water use
No data Source: World Resources Institute
Definition: Baseline water stress
measures the ratio of total annual
water withdrawals to total available
annual renewable supply. Higher
values indicate more competition
among users.
Source: World Resources Institute
AQUEDUCT Water Risk Atlas.
Water Stress Biocapacity
13
14. How many Californias?
It would take eight Californias to support California residents’ Ecological Footprint.
California is running a significant ecological deficit, with its population using more
than eight times the biocapacity available within the state.
On the supply side, California has a
relatively low cropland biocapacity —
only 3 percent of the total cropland
biocapacity in the United States.9
Cal-
ifornia’s per capita biocapacity is also
much smaller than that that of the United
States, primarily due to its high popula-
tion and the aridity of much of the state.
Drought threatens to further decrease
the state’s biocapacity.
On the demand side, California’s
large population is a big factor contrib-
uting to the state’s Ecological Footprint.
The carbon footprint comprises 63
percent of California’s Ecological
Footprint. But the average Californian’s
carbon footprint is actually lower than
that of the average American, thanks in
part to a mild climate that requires less
heating and cooling, energy efficiency
measures, hydropower, and less coal
use compared to other states.
As the seventh-largest economy in
the world and a global center for innova-
tion, California cannot ignore its growing
risk exposure to resource constraints.
This is made painfully clear as the state
confronts its fourth year of drought.
California leaders have taken many
pioneering steps to address sustainability:
establishing the state’s own gasoline
standards, creating a cap-and-trade
system to rein in emissions, and setting
a goal to get 33 percent of electricity
from renewable energy by 2020. Addi-
tional bold moves are needed to avoid
social and economic risks.
9
Global Footprint Network. 2013. The Ecological Footprint and Biocapacity of California.
10
Data is for 2012, the latest year available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
14
15. What if the future does
not look like the past?
The rules of the game have changed. In the past, seemingly unlimited resources fueled our
economies. Today, as populations grow and resources become scarcer, our ecological assets
are facing mounting pressures from increasing human demand and climate change. Carefully
managing our natural capital is imperative for a prosperous, resilient future.
Cities, states, and nations shape this future every time they spend taxpayer money, particularly
on longer-term projects, such as energy and water infrastructure, transportation networks, housing,
flood protection, and land conservation. Tools that recognize the value of ecological assets in
the same way that we value infrastructure are needed to guide leaders at all levels of government.
Cities, states, and nations can make investments that improve their citizens’ well-being while
maintaining the smallest Ecological Footprint and even expanding natural capital.
15
16. Maryland leads the way
Depending on the future gasoline price
scenario, the all-electric Nissan Leaf is either
already cheaper to own, or will be within a few
years, than a conventional gasoline Ford
Focus, despite costing more than twice as
much to buy as the Focus.
Fleet Vehicles
An investment of $18 million in more than
3,000 weatherization measures through
Maryland’s EmPOWER program will save a
net $28 million to $69 million in avoided natural
gas, electricity, and carbon emission costs
over 20 years, depending on the discount rate.
Weatherization
Using very conservative valuations, a
$1 million state purchase of wetlands for
conservation delivered between $6 and $16
in ecosystem benefits for every $1 spent over
30 years, depending on the discount rate.
Land conservation
With the support of then-Governor Martin O’Malley, Global Footprint Network pioneered a new way of making
capital investment decisions. Our Net Present Value Plus (NPV+) tool used a range of scenarios for future fuel
prices and internalized environmental and social factors to evaluate which projects provide the best total return
on investment. “In Maryland NPV+ helped guide critical investments we needed to make — from restoring the
health of the Chesapeake Bay, improving mass transit, to reducing our government’s carbon footprint. Government
should be utilizing tools like NPV+ so that we can make better, more sustainable choices,” O’Malley said.
16
17. Valuing natural capitalWe know we pay for products from nature, such as water, food and timber, but there are many other goods and
services from nature that we take for granted. Healthy ecosystems provide vast economic value, and investing in this
natural capital provides a high rate of return. For example, a growing number of government policy-makers are starting
to measure the economic value of “ecosystem services.” Such ecosystem service valuation can demonstrate the
return on past or proposed investments in natural capital and objectively quantify trade-offs in development decisions.
From skiing down a snow-covered mountain to sailing across
a calm, blue lake, Washington state residents can enjoy the
outdoors in countless ways. An economic analysis11
of outdoor
recreation found there were a total of about 446 million
participant days a year spent on outdoor recreation in the
state, resulting in $21.6 billion dollars in annual expenditures
and 200,000 jobs. This analysis encouraged legislators to
overwhelmingly vote for new funding to prevent park closures
while many other states shut down parks during this time.
Washington:
Does money grow on trees?
The Mississippi River Delta is a vast natural asset and a basis
for national employment and economic productivity. The most
comprehensive economic valuation12
of the Delta to date estimat-
ed between $330 billion and $1.3 trillion in benefits, including
hurricane and flood protection, water supply, recreation, and
fisheries. The Army Corps of Engineers recognized the benefit
of wetlands in mitigating flooding and storm surge and already
has shifted $500 million toward restoration.
Mississippi Delta:
Economic engine, flood protection
11
Earth Economics. January 2015. Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Washington State.
12
Earth Economics. 2010. Gaining Ground: The Value of Restoring the Mississippi Delta.
17
18. Beyond agriculture
in Pennsylvania
Any farmer will tell you fertile soil, clean water, and a stable climate are as crucial to the business as a tractor.
These natural services can be viewed as capital assets — just like the land or the tractor.
The natural capital in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, provides a robust flow of essential economic goods
and service benefits, including food, water, clean air, natural beauty, climatic stability, storm and flood protection,
and recreation. Agricultural lands make up over 65% of the ecosystem in Lancaster County, which is the number
one non-irrigated county in the United States for crop production and first county in the nation to reach 100,000
acres in farmland preserved (in 2013). This milestone was the result of four decades of strategic efforts of the
county and the Lancaster Farmland Trust.
An economic analysis13
helped Lancaster County value its natural capital provided by farmland preservation
and estimated $676 million in annual economic benefits. If treated like an asset, the value of Lancaster County
ecosystems is $17.5 billion at a 4% discount rate.
13
Earth Economics. March 2015. Beyond Food: The Environmental Benefits of Agriculture in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. 18
19. Menu of toolsYou can’t manage what you can’t measure. Ecological Footprint accounting can help cities, states, and
nations more accurately measure their natural capital surplus or deficit, identify key challenges and opportunities,
and forecast the impact of different policies. Our resilience tool, called Net Present Value Plus (NPV+), can help
government agencies at all levels manage their capital investments in a fiscally responsible and sustainable way.
Ecological
Footprint
Early warning:
The Ecological Footprint
can help identify which
issues need to be
addressed most urgently
to generate political will
and guide policy action.
Monitoring:
Footprint time trends
and projections can be
used to monitor the
short- and long-term
effectiveness of policies.
Headline and
Issue framing:
The Ecological Footprint
can improve understanding
of the problems, enable
comparisons across
countries and raise
stakeholder awareness.
Policy development:
With the identification
of Footprint “hot-spots,”
policy makers can
prioritize policies and
actions, often in the
context of a broader
sustainability policy.
Are we using more
resources than we have?
Net Present
Value Plus
Will our investment
reduce our exposure to
limited resources?
Investment analysis:
NPV+ helps governments
and public agencies
more accurately measure
the long-term value of
their investments in
infrastructure and natural
capital.
Policy orientation:
By understanding
where the best long-term
value is, policies can be
reoriented toward better
outcomes.
Building resilience:
Sound investments
build wealth, avoid
stranded assets and
leave a better legacy
for future generations.
Future scenarios:
NPV+ uses multiple
scenarios to create
a more realistic view
for capital decisions
and more fully assess
risks and opportunities.
19
20. Opportunities
By 2050, 80% of the world population is
expected to live in urban areas. Consequently,
how local governments plan and build our
cities is instrumental to shaping citizens’
behavior patterns and determining the amount
of natural capital available to meet a popula-
tion’s demand. For instance, are houses
built so that they require little energy? Is public
transportation adequate?
Cities
As noted, a large part of the Ecological
Footprint is driven by fossil fuel use.
Cities, states, and nations can set policies
to promote renewable energy adoption
in a number of ways, including tax rebates,
cap-and-trade-systems, subsidies, and
even carpool lane privileges.
Energy
How we meet one of our most basic needs
— food — is also a powerful way to influence
sustainability. Eating food that comes from local
sources, is not highly processed, and does not
rely heavily on animal products can lower the
Ecological Footprint.
Food
Living well and within the means of nature is not out of our reach. We see the greatest opportunities for improv-
ing sustainability in the United States in three areas: cities, energy, and food.
20
21. Creating a resilient futureOur natural ecosystems are essential assets and investment opportunities for promoting economic prosperity.
Continuing to invest in these assets will increase their value. Measuring how much we demand from these
resources and the value of the services they provide is only one important first step. This measurement, in turn,
provides information critical to developing policies and making investment decisions that ultimately will determine
the economic strength of our cities, states, and country.
21
22. Appendix
1
2010 U.S. Census 2
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
3, 4
Measure of America Human Development Index (HDI) and Supplemental Indicators 2013–2014. The American HDI is a composite measure of health, education, and income indices.
Gross Domestic Carbon Non-Carbon Total
Product, 2014 Life Expectancy Human Ecological Footprint Ecological Footprint Ecological Footprint Biocapacity
(chained 2009 dollars at Birth3
Development (global acres (global acres (global acres (global acres
State Population1
per capita)2
(years)
Index4
per capita) per capita) per capita) per capita)
UNITED STATES 308,745,538 49,469 78.9 5.06 11.5 5.7 17.2 9.3
Alabama 4,779,736 37,593 75.4 4.04 11.2 5.1 16.3 14.8
Alaska 710,231 66,160 78.3 5.06 13.1 6.2 19.2 510.9
Arizona 6,392,017 38,743 79.6 4.89 10.3 5.4 15.8 1.1
Arkansas 2,915,918 37,334 76.0 3.91 10.6 4.8 15.4 24.8
California 37,253,956 54,462 80.8 5.40 10.5 6.0 16.5 1.9
Colorado 5,029,196 52,214 80.0 5.53 13.4 6.6 20.0 5.8
Connecticut 3,574,097 64,676 80.8 6.17 13.7 7.8 21.5 2.0
Delaware 897,934 60,551 78.4 5.22 16.6 6.8 23.4 3.4
District of Columbia 601,723 159,386 76.5 6.08 15.8 6.3 22.0 0.2
Florida 18,801,310 38,690 79.4 4.82 10.9 5.2 16.0 4.6
Georgia 9,687,653 43,131 77.2 4.62 11.6 5.4 17.0 8.2
Hawaii 1,360,301 49,686 81.3 5.53 11.3 5.8 17.1 -
Idaho 1,567,582 35,235 79.5 4.50 9.5 5.8 15.3 17.0
Illinois 12,830,632 52,827 79.0 5.31 11.3 5.8 17.2 5.9
Indiana 6,483,802 43,861 77.6 4.56 13.1 6.0 19.1 7.7
Iowa 3,046,355 49,075 79.7 5.03 13.9 6.6 20.5 21.0
Kansas 2,853,118 45,765 78.7 4.96 13.1 6.0 19.1 26.2
Kentucky 4,339,367 38,938 76.0 4.02 14.2 5.3 19.5 13.9
Louisiana 4,533,372 46,448 75.7 4.12 12.0 5.3 17.3 13.1
Maine 1,328,361 38,327 79.2 4.93 10.1 5.7 15.8 30.5
Maryland 5,773,552 53,759 78.8 5.94 16.9 7.4 24.3 2.5
Massachusetts 6,547,629 63,005 80.5 6.16 12.0 6.6 18.6 1.7
Michigan 9,883,640 42,110 78.2 4.76 11.2 5.5 16.6 11.8
Minnesota 5,303,925 52,801 81.1 5.69 12.4 6.4 18.8 16.9
Mississippi 2,967,297 31,551 75.0 3.81 10.7 4.9 15.6 21.7
22
23. Appendix Gross Domestic Carbon Non-Carbon Total
Product, 2014 Life Expectancy Human Ecological Footprint Ecological Footprint Ecological Footprint Biocapacity
(chained 2009 dollars at Birth3
Development (global acres (global acres (global acres (global acres
State Population1
per capita)2
(years)
Index4
per capita) per capita) per capita) per capita)
Missouri 5,988,927 42,854 77.5 4.60 13.4 6.1 19.5 16.2
Montana 989,415 38,539 78.5 4.54 10.9 5.2 16.1 54.3
Nebraska 1,826,341 52,724 79.8 5.11 13.5 6.7 20.3 38.1
Nevada 2,700,551 42,539 78.1 4.63 11.8 6.4 18.2 4.1
New Hampshire 1,316,470 49,951 80.3 5.73 13.6 7.8 21.4 8.8
New Jersey 8,791,894 56,405 80.3 6.12 11.9 6.8 18.7 1.3
New Mexico 2,059,179 40,081 78.4 4.52 11.3 5.5 16.8 11.9
New York 19,378,102 64,818 80.5 5.66 9.3 5.0 14.2 3.5
North Carolina 9,535,483 44,281 77.8 4.57 12.2 5.4 17.6 7.6
North Dakota 672,591 65,225 79.5 4.90 15.2 6.7 22.0 38.5
Ohio 11,536,504 45,887 77.8 4.71 12.4 5.8 18.3 5.5
Oklahoma 3,751,351 41,871 75.9 4.14 13.4 5.6 19.1 20.2
Oregon 3,831,074 51,329 79.5 4.86 9.8 5.9 15.7 17.4
Pennsylvania 12,702,379 47,637 78.5 5.07 10.4 5.4 15.8 4.9
Rhode Island 1,052,567 47,901 79.9 5.38 11.4 6.2 17.5 1.5
South Carolina 4,625,364 36,125 77.0 4.35 10.7 5.2 16.0 9.3
South Dakota 814,180 46,688 79.5 4.79 11.2 6.1 17.3 72.3
Tennessee 6,346,105 42,115 76.3 4.22 11.3 5.0 16.3 9.9
Texas 25,145,561 54,433 78.5 4.65 12.8 5.8 18.6 6.7
Utah 2,763,885 43,555 80.2 5.03 14.8 7.1 22.0 5.0
Vermont 625,741 43,354 80.5 5.31 10.2 6.5 16.7 19.5
Virginia 8,001,024 51,338 79.0 5.47 17.0 7.7 24.6 7.4
Washington 6,724,540 55,298 79.9 5.40 10.6 6.3 17.0 10.6
West Virginia 1,852,994 36,769 75.4 3.95 13.9 5.3 19.2 19.4
Wisconsin 5,686,986 46,665 80.0 5.16 12.9 6.3 19.2 14.1
Wyoming 563,626 64,309 78.3 4.83 13.9 6.5 20.4 39.8
1
2010 U.S. Census 2
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
3, 4
Measure of America Human Development Index (HDI) and Supplemental Indicators 2013–2014. The American HDI is a composite measure of health, education, and income indices.
23
24. About
Global Footprint Network is an international think tank working to drive informed,
sustainable policy decisions in a world of limited resources. Together with its partners,
Global Footprint Network coordinates research, develops methodological standards,
and provides decision-makers with a menu of tools to help the human economy operate
within Earth’s ecological limits. We work with local and national governments, investors,
and opinion leaders to ensure all people live well, within the means of one planet.
www.footprintnetwork.org
Earth Economics is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, economic research and policy organiza-
tion located in Tacoma, Wash. We provide robust, science-based, ecologically sound
economic analysis, policy recommendations and tools to positively transform regional,
national and international economics, and asset accounting systems. Our goal is to
help communities shift away from the failed economic policies of the past, towards an
approach that is both economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
www.eartheconomics.org
24
25. Acknowledgements
Authors: Ronna Kelly, Susan Burns, Mathis Wackernagel
Contributors: Lola Flores, Earth Economics
Researchers: Katsunori Iha, Golnar Zokai, Chris Nelder
Designer: Bob Dinetz Design
Funding: This report would not have been possible without the financial
support of the V. Kann Rasmussen Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation.
A special thanks to the Risky Business Project, World Resources Institute,
and Bloomberg New Energy Finance for their contributions to this report.
July 2015 25