Ecological Footprint (EF) is a measure of humanity’s demand on earth. EF seeks to establish how much of the earth’s biological capacity (land size and water) is required by a given human population or activity (myfootprint.org, 2013). EF is a resource accounting tool that is used by businesses, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), governments and educational institutions. EF is used as measure to check and ensure the sustainability of life on earth by calculating amount of land and water available to support the human demand for food, energy, timber, infrastructure, fiber among other human requirements (myfootprint.org, 2013). Moreover, EF calculates the biological capacity of the earth to absorb carbon dioxide and other emissions from the human population. Current EF standards use global hectares as a unit of measurement. It includes fishing and forest grounds as well as croplands. Glaciers, open sea and deserts are not considered as biologically productive (myfootprint.org, 2013). EF is therefore an important way of measuring and ensuring progress of sustainability of life on earth. Personal behavior as measured by EF by using myfootprint.org.
An analysis of my EF shows that if everyone on the planet lived my kind of lifestyle we would need 5.32 earths to sustain life. The national average in the US is 6 earths. This figure is relatively high and I need to reduce my footprint. Some of the ways I can reduce my EF include: - Using cleaner means of transport for instance walking, cycling or taking public means of transport. I can also have my car serviced regularly, to keep emissions low, keep tires inflated to reduce gas mileage among other automobile maintenance measures.
I can also reduce my EF by adding energy-saving features to my home by choosing energy efficient appliances, making the home weatherproof, insulating water heating appliances among other energy saving practices.ss
In an effort to reduce my food footprint which is marches the country average, I can eat more organic, local, in-season foods. One effective way I can achieve this in by planting my own garden. I can also choose foods that have less packaging in order to reduce waste.
My Footprint in Global Hectares by Consumption Category (Bar Graph)
Total: 83.63
My Footprint Share by Biome (Pie chart)
(myfootprint.org, 2013)
Engineers can contribute in the reduction of EF by designing buildings and structures that utilize resources from the natural environment in a better way. For instance structural engineers can design buildings that utilize more of the natural lighting and can maintain adjustable temperatures. Mechanical engineers can design engines that make better use of petroleum products through efficient combustion engines. Electrical engineers can design electrical systems that make use of lesser energy r utilize green energy such as solar or wind. Engineers can contribute in these and more ways in the reduction of the EF. To address the EF challenges facing people engineers can design machines with better ergonomics to increase their usability by people. The use of efficient machines that have lesser emissions to the environment help maintain a cleaner and more productive environment. Moreover, engineers can design machines that are economical in their usage of natural resources, the machines can also be cheap in order to enable people save money and spend it in other areas of their livelihoods as well as in the sustenance of the environment.
References
"Ecological Footprint Quiz by Center for Sustainable Economy." Ecological Footprint Quiz by Center for Sustainable Economy. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb. 2013.
"Reduce your footprint: Ecological Footprint Quiz by Center for Sustainable Economy." Ecological Footprint Quiz by Center for Sustainable Economy. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb. 2013.
