Wordstask Description: Sustainability Is A Combination Of Po ✓ Solved
300 500 Wordstask Descriptionsustainability Is A Combination Of Popul
Sustainability is a combination of population size and consumption of resources per person. In this discussion, we will work as a class to understand sustainability as it applies to our lives. Here is what you need to do. For your main post (due by Friday):
- Select one of the three term options and view the associated video:
- Option 1 - Ecological Footprint
- Option 2 - Carbon Footprint
- Option 3 - Human Carrying Capacity
Summarize what you learned about your selected term in a detailed paragraph. Use one of the following calculators to determine your individual footprint:
- Ecological Footprint calculator
- Carbon Footprint calculator
Compare your values to the set of national averages from the calculator you used:
National Averages for Comparison
Ecological Footprint:
- Ecological Footprint = 8.1 gha
- Food = 2.0 gha
- Shelter = 0.3 gha
- Mobility = 3.5 gha
- Goods = 0.8 gha
- Services = 1.5 gha
Carbon Footprint:
- Carbon Footprint = 66,810 lbs
- Home Energy = 43,076 lbs
- Transportation = 20,968 lbs
- Waste = 2,766 lbs
In a detailed paragraph, answer the following questions based on your footprint results:
- What would be the impact if each person in the world had the same footprint as you?
- In what areas are your footprint values less than the national average?
- In what areas are your footprint values greater than the national average?
- Were these results surprising to you? Why or why not?
In a detailed paragraph, describe three ways you can reduce your footprint; identify which change would be the easiest, which would be the hardest, and why.
Paper For Above Instructions
The assignment involves exploring the concept of sustainability by understanding the connection between population size and resource consumption per capita. Students select one of three options—Ecological Footprint, Carbon Footprint, or Human Carrying Capacity—and view a corresponding educational video to enhance their understanding. Following this, they summarize their learnings about the chosen term in a comprehensive paragraph, demonstrating their grasp of the concept's relevance to sustainability. Using designated online calculators, students then calculate their individual ecological or carbon footprint and compare their results to established national averages, which serve as benchmarks for understanding their relative impact.
For Ecological Footprint, the national average is 8.1 global hectares (gha), with specific averages allocated to food (2.0 gha), shelter (0.3 gha), mobility (3.5 gha), goods (0.8 gha), and services (1.5 gha). Conversely, the Carbon Footprint average stands at 66,810 pounds, with detailed contributions from home energy (43,076 lbs), transportation (20,968 lbs), and waste (2,766 lbs). After analyzing their specific results, students reflect on their environmental impact on a global scale had everyone adopted their footprint levels, considering the implications if such patterns were universal.
Students then examine how their footprint compares to the averages by identifying areas where they are below or above the national standards. These reflections encourage insight into personal behaviors and lifestyle choices that influence environmental impact. The discussion extends to whether the results were surprising, prompting students to consider the accuracy of their perceptions versus actual data. Furthermore, they explore practical strategies to reduce their footprints, such as adopting sustainable habits, conserving energy, or reducing waste. They evaluate which of these changes would be easiest or hardest to implement, considering factors like convenience, cost, and behavioral change challenges.
This exercise fosters critical thinking about individual responsibilities and the broader implications of resource consumption, aiming to promote sustainable practices through personal awareness and actionable steps.
References
- Global Footprint Network. (2023). Ecological Footprint Calculator. https://www.footprintcalculator.org
- Carbon Footprint Ltd. (2023). Carbon Footprint Calculator. https://www.carbonfootprint.com
- Rees, W. (1992). Ecological footprints and appropriated carrying capacity: What urban economics leaves out. Ecological Economics, 8(2), 103–118.
- Kitzes, J., et al. (2009). Calculation and interpretation of ecological footprint. Ecological Indicators, 9(3), 558–565.
- Wackernagel, M., & Rees, W. (1996). Our ecological footprint: Reducing human impact on the Earth. New Society Publishers.
- Global Footprint Network. (2022). State of the World’s Footprint. https://www.footprintnetwork.org
- Stead, D., et al. (2016). Urban sustainability and ecological footprint analysis. Sustainability, 8(9), 858.
- Carbon Trust. (2020). Reduce your carbon footprint. https://www.carbontrust.com
- Herrick, J., et al. (2017). Personal environmental footprint projects as educational tools. Environmental Education Research, 23(4), 423-436.
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2019). Global Environment Outlook. https://www.unep.org