WES - Ecological Footprint Lesson
Ecological Footprint
While it is hard to pinpoint the exact origins of some environmental problems, one thing is clear; humans and their need for luxuries – clothing, vehicles, food, and even electronics –has had a drastic impact on our environment. Progress in industry and technology has changed the world in unimaginable ways – and continues to cause problems. Humans, but Americans especially, have a huge ecological footprint on the world – but what does that mean?
Who is at Fault?
What are the causes of these major environmental concerns?
Humans tend to be concerned about one species, Homo sapiens. Until recently, humans have lived how they wanted, using resources with no regard to how it affects the Earth and the biosphere where we live. Though there is still debate over the exact causes of some of our environmental problem, the leading causes are known to be the following:
Needs of humans vary considerably depending on if they are a citizen of a developing country or a developed county. A developing county typically has a booming population. Examples of developing countries include Egypt, Brazil, and Chile. Environmental problems in these countries stem from stretching already limited resources to support the growing population which causes a population crisis. In a population crisis, people can not have their basic needs met: food, clean, water, shelter, etc. so conserving the environment tends not to be a priority. Countries will do what they need to in order to help their citizens even at the expense of the environment.
In developing countries, environmental problems arise because of consumption causing a consumption crisis. Examples of developed countries include the United States, France, and Australia. Citizens of developed countries have higher than average incomes and tend to use resources more quickly than they can be replenished. It is estimated that only 20% of the world’s population lives in a developed country, yet they use 70-80% of the Earth’s resources every year.
The amount of demand a human places on nature is called their ecological footprint. But what does this mean? Watch the video below to find out.
An ecological footprint calculates the amount of land required to sustain a person given the resources they use every day. Typically citizens of developing countries tend to have a bigger ecological footprint than citizens of non developing countries. China's total Ecological Footprint has dramatically increased in the past 15 years and surpassed that of the United States in the early 2000s. China is now the nation with the world's largest total Ecological Footprint. Click here Links to an external site. to read more about it!
Ecological Footprint Challenge
Before You Go, You Need to Know
The following key points are from this explore section of the lesson. You must know the following information before moving to the next lesson. This is just a summary of the key points.
The major reasons there is an environmental crisis are
- Technology advancements
- Increasing human population
- Increases in resource and energy consumption
- Development of a capitalist world economy
- Short-term decision making
- A population crisis causes environmental problems by putting the basic needs of people over that of the environment.
- A consumption crisis causes environmental problems by putting needs and desires of people over the needs of Earth.
- A person’s ecological footprint calculates the amount land required to sustain a person given the resources they use every day.
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