One estimate states the average person uses enough resouces annually for 1.2 earths. In other words, we are using 20% more than the Earth can provide on an indefinite basis. According to a quiz at http://www.footprintnetwork.org/, my footprint is 6.1 These are estimates of course of a complex system - nobody has figured out how to win all them time on Wall Street. The quiz goes in to how much you drive, walk, use public transportation, eat meats and processed foods. One thing they overlooked - how often people buy new homes. BBC Story
Haha.. I barely do anything, have a SHORT commute to work and hardly eat at all (as evidenced by my 6'1", 170 pound frame) and it says my global footprint is 26. That is followed up in all upper case with "IF EVERYONE LIVED LIKE YOU, WE WOULD NEED 5.8 PLANETS." That's a bold assumption, considering if everyone lived like me (alone, not in any relationships) we would need zero planets because we'd be an extinct species in 80 years.
CATEGORY GLOBAL HECTARES FOOD 3.5 MOBILITY 0.3 SHELTER 0.9 GOODS/SERVICES 0.9 TOTAL FOOTPRINT 5.6 IN COMPARISON, THE AVERAGE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT IN YOUR COUNTRY IS 8.8 GLOBAL HECTARES PER PERSON. WORLDWIDE, THERE EXIST 1.8 BIOLOGICALLY PRODUCTIVE GLOBAL HECTARES PER PERSON. IF EVERYONE LIVED LIKE YOU, WE WOULD NEED 3.1 PLANETS. **** food is my most damaging aspect thats okay fast food tastes good
Food: 5.9 acres Mobility: 4.2 acres Shelter: 7.2 acres Goods/services: 10.4 acres Total: 28 acres If everyone lived like me we would need 6.2 planets. Ok, if you say so. Ironic that this is the one day in over 6 months that I couldn't pack my lunch so I have to drive somewhere for it.
Don't Take the Estimate Too Seriously I'd say the estimate is ballpark. Personally, I wonder if it's exaggerated. Still, moderating our useage is wise. In the bigger picture, I think using our solid waste would help sustainability a lot. Recycle more, burn part of it as fuel.
Food 5.9 Mobility 1.2 Shelter 4.4 Goods/services 4 Total Footprint 16 IF EVERYONE LIVED LIKE YOU, WE WOULD NEED 3.5 PLANETS.
FOOD 5.9 MOBILITY 1.5 SHELTER 9.4 GOODS/SERVICES 7.4 TOTAL FOOTPRINT 24 IN COMPARISON, THE AVERAGE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT IN YOUR COUNTRY IS 24 ACRES PER PERSON. IF EVERYONE LIVED LIKE YOU, WE WOULD NEED 5.4 PLANETS. I hope it is exaggerated, given my figures. I didn't think I was that much of a burden on the planet :,-(
