By calculating the ecological footprint it is possible to know the level of demand for natural resources that exists in different contexts and places in the world, thus revealing the environmental impact.
Ecological footprint is an expression that refers to an index linked to how much and how human activities impact the natural environment .
This concept gained global relevance after the publication of «Our Ecological Footprint. Reducing Human Impact On The Earth" , a book released by Mathis Wackernagel and William Rees .
It is, in short, an indicator that accounts for the environmental impact and reflects on an international scale how much sustainability there is in certain social behaviors or certain lifestyles. Its calculation requires analyzing consumption habits , use of resources and the percentage of waste generated in a specific population. The measurement, according to experts on the subject, is established in global hectares per year and corresponding amount of surface area per inhabitant once an estimated consumption figure and another related to productivity are determined or obtained to divide them between Yeah.
Types of ecological footprint
When reviewing the theory, several types of ecological footprint come to light. Each of these modalities contributes to deducting CO2 emissions, the consumption of energy and other resources, the extent of land and the number of materials that come into play in the production phases.
The water footprint , to describe a specific case, refers to the use of fresh water both directly and indirectly, whether by producers or consumers. It should be noted that the idea of direct consumption is associated with water that is used or contaminated in the production of a good and that which serves as an ingredient for a product. Indirect consumption , meanwhile, includes the water required for the production of raw materials.
It is enriching to mention the existence of a chromatic classification intended for the water footprint . The gray water footprint , in this context, refers to the quality of the water : it marks how much volume of fresh water is needed to equal the percentage of contamination (due to spills of polluting substances or mixtures of discharges). The blue water footprint refers to the consumptive uses of evaporated water (groundwater or surface) and the green water footprint includes how and how much the water from precipitation (rain) is used.
The water footprint can be reduced individually by making responsible consumption and betting on the circular economy, for example.
The indicator called carbon footprint , on the other hand, shows the total greenhouse gases that are emitted through the direct or indirect action of an entity, material, person, structure, etc. When measuring it, international standards are considered, making it possible to distinguish between the carbon footprint of an organization and the carbon footprint of products or services .
Nor should we overlook the particularities of the nitrogen footprint , which indicates how much nitrogen is released into the environment as a result of activities carried out by human beings.
The measurements can even branch out and give results on a personal (individual) or corporate ecological footprint (with a group view), or on an ecological footprint that can be national or global .
Importance and advantages
It is necessary and important to pay attention to the data provided by the ecological footprint since it serves to raise awareness about what extension of marine and terrestrial space is required for the production of each good and resource that society consumes. Likewise, through it it is possible to know how much surface area is needed to absorb all the waste generated.
By focusing on the ecological footprint , the authorities of each nation can also design strategic environmental management and carry out an environmental impact assessment . It is also possible to identify critical areas in terms of sustainability and outline actions aimed at achieving a reduction in the ecological footprint .
Recycling is a simple and effective practice that allows us all to reduce our personal ecological footprint.
Examples of ecological footprint
The ecological footprint is analyzed considering a wide variety of customs or philosophies of life that extend throughout the planet.
According to relatively recent research, the food industry is responsible for 25 percent of greenhouse gas emissions produced each year. It is estimated that a global reduction in dairy and meat consumption could significantly minimize the carbon footprint .
Examples or proposals of actions that can be implemented to reduce the ecological footprint include the use of renewable energy , recycling and reuse of resources , and the adoption of a low-carbon diet . Sustainable transportation systems, fair trade principles, and green building projects are also useful and beneficial to this cause.