HOW BIG IS YOUR FOOTPRINT? (Shoe size doesn't count!)

OUR ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT by Mathis Wackernagel

The ecological footprint measures human impact on nature. In order to live, people consume what nature offers. So, every one of us has an impact on our planet. This is not bad as long as we don't take more from the Earth than it has to offer. Are we taking more than we should? The Ecological Footprint measures what we consume of nature. It shows how much productive land and water we occupy to produce all the resources we use and to assimilate all the waste we make.

How big is your footprint? The average American uses 30 acres to support his or her current lifestyle. This corresponds to the size of 30 football fields put together. In comparison, the average Canadian lives on a footprint one third less, and the average Italian on 55% less.

How much can nature provide? With a global population of over 6 billion, nature provides an average of 5 acres of bioproductive space for every person in the world. When the population grows to 10 billion, the available space will be reduced to 3 acres. This should also give room for at least 25 million other species. Already, humanity's footprint may be over 30% larger than our fair Earth share.

What can we do? We can become part of the sustainability movement and make it possible for everybody to secure their quality of life within the means of nature. Also, we can better use and conserve resources, for example by using energy-efficient lamps or by composting. We can consume less by having a smaller population and decreasing our consumption. How about buying fewer cars and other disposable products, saving us money and grief? Also, we'll be able to afford more spare time. This future-friendly lifestyle will make our present lives better.

Mathis Wackernagel is the co-author of the book Our Ecological Footprint. He now leads Global Footprint Network. Check out: http://www.footprintnetwork.org/