Calculating Ecological Footprints



Calculating Ecological Footprints

Mathias Wackernagel and many of his colleagues at the Global Footprint Network have continued to refine the method of calculating ecological footprints- the amount of biologically productive land and water we consume and to absorb the wastes we generate. According to their 2006 report, there are nearly 1.78 hectares (4.4 acres) available for every person in the world, yet we use on average more than 2.23 ha (5.4 acres) per person, creating a global ecological deficit, or overshoot of about 25%.

Compare the ecological foot prints of each of the countries listed in the table. Calculate their proportional relationships to the world population’s average ecological footprint and to land available globally to meet our ecological demands.

Hectares to Acres = 2.47105

Acres to Hectares = 0.40469

1 acre = 43,560 square feet or 4,840 square yards

1 acre is approximately 208.71 feet x 208.71 feet (square)

1 Hectare = 10,000 square meters

|Country |Ecological Footprint (hectares |Proportion relative to world |Proportion relative to world |

| |per person) |average footprint |area available |

|Bangladesh |0.5 | | |

| | |(0.5 ÷ 2.23)= |(0.5 ÷ 1.78)= |

|Colombia |1.3 | | |

|Mexico |2.6 | | |

|Sweden |6.1 | | |

|Thailand |1.4 | | |

|United States |9.6 | | |

|World Average |2.23 | | |

| | |(2.23 ÷ 2.23)=1.0 |(2.23 ÷ 1.78)=1.25 |

|Your Personal Footprint (See | | | |

|Question # 4) | | | |

Questions:

1. Why do you think the ecological footprint for people in Bangladesh is so small?

2. Why is it so large for people in the United States?

3. Based on the data in the table, how do you think average per capita income affects ecological footprints?

4. Go to an online footprint calculator such as the ones at and take the test to determine your own ecological footprint. Enter the value you obtain in the table, and calculate the other values as you did for each nation. How does your footprint compare to those of people in the United States and in other nations?

5. Name three actions you could take to reduce your footprint.

6. Convert the following Hectares to Acres:

60ha x 2.47105 = ________ ac

12 ha x ________ = ________ac

5 ha x _________ = ________ac

7. Convert the following Acres to Hectares:

2 ac x 0.40469 = _________ha

15 x _________ = _________ha

100 x __________ = _______ha

Additional Websites for Ecological Footprints:

Conservation International



Low Impact Living



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