Reducing our Ecological Footprint

Introduction
The good earth provides an average of 4.5 acres of bioproductive space for each person on the planet.  Each acre represents about one football field worth of space. While this might seem like a lot, you must consider that on this little piece of land you have to grow the plants, feed the cows, build the house, toss the trash, and anything else needed to support your current lifestyle.  If our planet is to be sustainable and provide for the needs of future generations, then we must learn to live within our ecological limits.

Do you think that you are currently living within your equal earthshare?  In this activity, you will calculate your ecological footprint, compare them with other people from around the world, and then discuss what actions could and should be taken.

Exploration

So how large would you estimate your footprint to be?  Predict the number of acres that you think would be needed to support your lavish lifestyle.  Compared to others in the world, do you think that you're an environmental friend or foe?

Now is time to take off the shoes and get out the measuring tape.  Use the link below to calculate your ecological footprint.

After completing your calculations, compare your results to those from other nations by going to the Footprint of the Nations link. As you make these comparisons, please complete the following questions:

1. How many acres of land are required to support your current lifestyle?

2.  According to these results, how many earths would be necessary to support a planet full of
    people who live at your current lifestyle?   (divide your footprint in acres by 4.5)

3.  How many acres does the average American consume?  The average Russian?  The average
    Ethiopian? (use the footprint of the nations link)

4.  What is the average ecological surplus/deficit produced by members of your own country?

5.  Do the majority of countries on the list have ecological deficits or surpluses?

6.  What implications does this data have in regards to the long-term health and sustainability of
     our planet?

Explanation

In analyzing the data, you may have concluded that most countries live on footprints larger than their own ecosystem can support.  At the present time, our global ecological footprint is about 35% larger than our global productive capacity.  As a result, our resources are being gradually depleted. This depletion is due largely to the fact that the wealthy quarter of the human race consumes about three quarters of all the world's resources.

Over time, such consumption takes its toll on those who are less fortunate. For every 200 million people in Country X who use 3 times the allowable space of 5.5 acres, there must be 200 million people in Country Y who use only one third on the allowable space.  Otherwise, our consumption of resources will rapidly exceed the earth's production capacity.  Such comparisons naturally foster discussion and debate regarding the rights of individuals to claim their fair share of the earth's resources. The following questions are worth considering and may be used to stimulate discussion in class or on Nice Net.

1.  If there were a global shortage of oxygen and it had to be rationed, should each person on the
    planet be entitled to an equal share of the oxygen that remains?

2.  Should certain individuals be accorded a larger proportion of this resource as a result of their
    positions, occupations, status, or wealth within their respective communities?

3.  Since we do have a global shortage of bioproductive land, do you think that each person should
    be entitled to an equal earthshare (5.5 acres).   Explain your answer.

Taking Action

Whatever your opinion is in terms of the equal distribution of resources, each of us can take simple, concrete actions in order to reduce our environmental impact.  As the final step to this lesson, your task is to investigate and then choose one practical action that can be taken to decrease the size of our ecological footprints.  To find examples of eco-friendly actions that you can take, click on the following link.  If each of us makes a decision to "Think Globally, and Act Locally", we can help to sustain our incredible planet for future generations.
 

Assignment

For you assignment, please choose one of the following options: 

1. Type a one page paper that takes and defends one the following positions:

     Each person should/should not be entitled to an equal earthshare. 

2.  Create a poster, painting, play, or your choice of artistic venue to encourage the use of "eco-friendly" actions.

3.  In visiting China recently, I spoke with a lawyer with respect to China's policy to allow only one child per family. He thought that it was the responsible and rational thing to do for his country of 1.3 billion people.  He was also amazed that, in the U.S. we often allow the least qualified parents to have the most children. 

Type a one page position paper that takes and defends one of the following positions:

The government of a country does/does not have the right to regulate how many children the citizens of country can have?