3.1.2 Measuring Resource Consumption Notes

Tracking Ecological Impacts of Human Activity

1. Imagine if everyone on Earth lived like the average person in a High-Income Country. How many planets would we need to sustain that lifestyle?
2. The answer: over four Earths.
3. This stark reality is measured by the ecological footprint, a tool that helps us understand the environmental impact of human activity.

What is the Ecological Footprint?

1. The ecological footprint developed in 1992 is a theoretical measurement - it is an estimate of resource consumption.
2. The ecological footprint methodology is also used to calculate biocapacity - biological productive capacity.
3. The Earth’s biocapacity is estimated at 1.7 hectares per person - this value corresponds with the idea of a sustainable ecological footprint.
4. The current average ecological footprint per person worldwide is 2.7 hectare.
5. It varies from over 10 (Qatar) and range around 7-8 (UAE, Denmark, Belgium, Singapore, USA) to less than 1 (Ethiopia, Haiti, Afghanistan, Pakistan and other LDCs).

Note

• The ecological footprint highlights the balance between resource consumption and Earth’s regenerative capacity.
• The map below shows countries in red with ecological deficit (ecological footprint higher than biocapacity) and countries in green with ecological reserve (ecological footprint lower than biocapacity).

Disparities in Resource Consumption

High-Income Countries (HICs) Typically Have Larger Ecological Footprints Due to:

1. Higher Consumption: More disposable income leads to greater demand for energy, goods, and services.
2. Energy Use: Greater mobility and high quality of life combined with reliance on fossil fuels for transportation, heating, and industry.
3. Wasteful Practices: Higher levels of waste and pollution, often with less emphasis on recycling.

Trends in Resource Consumption

1. As the global population grows and economies develop, the demand for resources like energy, water, and food is increasing.

Key Trends

1. Energy Consumption: Global energy use has more than doubled since 1970, driven by industrialization and urbanization.
2. Water Demand: Water use has increased sixfold over the past century, with agriculture accounting for 70% of global consumption.
3. Food Production: Feeding a growing population requires more land, water, and energy, often leading to deforestation and habitat loss.

Low-Income Countries (LICs) Consume Far Fewer Resources Per Capita Than HICs, Highlighting Significant Inequalities:

1. Per Capita Energy Use: The average American consumes over 10 times more energy than the average Nigerian.
2. Water Access: Nearly one billion people lack access to clean water, while others use it wastefully.
3. Food Security: While HICs face issues of overconsumption, LICs struggle with hunger and malnutrition.

Why Does This Matter?

1. Understanding ecological footprints and resource consumption is critical for addressing global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and inequality.

Key Insights

1. Sustainability: Populations with footprints larger than their biocapacity are living beyond sustainable limits. This applies to entire human kind.
2. Global Inequality: HICs consume a disproportionate share of resources, while LICs bear the brunt of environmental degradation.
3. Future Planning: As LICs develop, their footprints are likely to grow, making sustainable development essential.

Reflection and Broader Implications

1. Tracking ecological impacts through tools like the ecological footprint helps us understand the true cost of our lifestyles.