Glossary
Biocapacity
The capacity of a given biologically productive area to generate a continuous supply of renewable resources and to absorb associated wastes.
Example:
If a region's biocapacity is exceeded by its population's ecological footprint, it means the region is consuming resources faster than its ecosystems can regenerate them.
Carbon Footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) emitted directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product.
Example:
Switching to renewable energy sources for your home can significantly lower your household's carbon footprint.
Corporate Impact
The large-scale environmental effects resulting from the operations, production processes, and supply chains of businesses and industries.
Example:
A major clothing manufacturer's decision to use recycled materials in its products can drastically reduce its corporate impact on plastic waste.
Ecological Footprint
The measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems, representing the amount of biologically productive land and sea area required to produce the resources an individual, population, or activity consumes and to absorb the waste it generates.
Example:
A country with a large ecological footprint might consume more resources and produce more waste than its own land can sustainably provide, relying on resources from other regions.
Environmental Degradation
The deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water, and soil; the destruction of ecosystems; and the extinction of wildlife.
Example:
Overfishing in a marine ecosystem can lead to severe environmental degradation, harming biodiversity and the health of the ocean.
Individual Impact
The environmental effect caused by the actions and lifestyle choices of a single person, such as their transportation, diet, and consumption habits.
Example:
Choosing to bike to school instead of driving significantly reduces an individual's individual impact on carbon emissions.
Resource Depletion
The consumption of a resource faster than it can be replenished, leading to a reduction in its availability over time.
Example:
The excessive extraction of groundwater for agriculture can cause resource depletion of aquifers, leading to water scarcity.
Sustainability
The ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, often involving living within Earth's biocapacity.
Example:
Practicing sustainability in agriculture means using farming methods that don't deplete soil nutrients or overuse water, ensuring food production for years to come.