All Flashcards
What does a large ecological footprint indicate?
High resource consumption and waste production.
Explain the relationship between ecological footprint and sustainability.
If a population's footprint exceeds available resources, it is unsustainable.
Why is it important to consider both individual and corporate impacts?
Both contribute significantly to environmental problems; addressing both is crucial.
How does diet affect ecological footprint?
Meat-heavy diets generally have larger footprints than plant-based diets.
How does transportation affect ecological footprint?
Driving and flying increase footprint; biking and public transport reduce it.
How does consumption affect ecological footprint?
Buying new items increases footprint; secondhand reduces it.
How does energy use affect ecological footprint?
Renewable energy reduces footprint; fossil fuels increase it.
What is the role of corporations in ecological footprints?
Corporations often have larger impacts due to emissions, pollution, and resource use.
What is the relationship between resource depletion and ecological footprint?
A large ecological footprint often leads to faster resource depletion.
What is the significance of living within Earth's biocapacity?
It is essential for long-term sustainability and well-being.
What does an ecological footprint measure?
The demand a person, population, or activity places on Earth's ecosystems in terms of the area of biologically productive land and water required to produce the resources it consumes and to absorb the wastes it generates.
What factors affect ecological footprint size?
Transportation, travel, diet, consumption, energy use, and water use.
What is the difference between individual and corporate environmental impact?
Individual impacts are from personal choices, while corporate impacts are from business practices, often dwarfing individual effects.
What does it mean to live unsustainably?
A population's ecological footprint is larger than the available resources, leading to environmental degradation and resource depletion.
How does diet affect ecological footprint?
Meat-heavy diets generally have a larger footprint than vegetarian or vegan diets due to the resources required to raise livestock.
How does transportation affect ecological footprint?
Driving and flying increase footprint due to fossil fuel use, while walking, biking, and public transport reduce it.
How does consumption affect ecological footprint?
Buying new items frequently increases footprint, while buying secondhand and reducing consumption decreases it.
How does energy use affect ecological footprint?
Using non-renewable energy sources increases footprint, while using renewable energy sources reduces it.
How does water use affect ecological footprint?
Excessive water use increases footprint, while conserving water reduces it.
What is the relationship between ecological footprint and sustainability?
Ecological footprint is a key tool for assessing sustainability; a smaller footprint indicates more sustainable practices.
How can reducing consumption promote sustainability?
It lowers the demand for resources, reduces waste, and minimizes environmental impact.
How can using renewable energy sources promote sustainability?
It reduces reliance on fossil fuels, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizes air pollution.
How can conserving water promote sustainability?
It ensures water availability for future generations, protects aquatic ecosystems, and reduces water pollution.
How can sustainable forestry practices promote sustainability?
It maintains forest ecosystems, protects biodiversity, and sequesters carbon dioxide.
How can reducing meat consumption promote sustainability?
It lowers land use, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and conserves water.
How can using public transportation promote sustainability?
It reduces fossil fuel consumption, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizes air pollution.
How can buying secondhand items promote sustainability?
It reduces the demand for new products, conserves resources, and minimizes waste.
How can implementing waste reduction and recycling programs promote sustainability?
It reduces landfill waste, conserves resources, and minimizes pollution.
How can establishing community oversight of corporate operations promote sustainability?
It ensures corporate accountability, promotes environmental responsibility, and protects community interests.
How can implementing environmental regulations promote sustainability?
It sets standards for environmental protection, prevents pollution, and conserves resources.