In our daily lives we consume planetary resources and produce waste that the planet has to deal with. Many researchers are saying we're:
- taking far more resources than the planet can reproduce, and
- are harming the planet to the point that it is unable to reproduce the bounty we have been consuming.
A local scholar, William Rees, came up with the concept of the environmental footprint and the concept is now accepted worldwide.
How much of the planet's resources does it take to support your lifestyle? This is an important question. For it's a small world after all: there is only one planet. Unlike the clothes we wear, if we wear out the planet, we can't replace it.
We can measure the amount of resources we use in an "ecological footprint." The links below explain how ecological footprints are being used to measure the consumption of both individuals and nations. With the footprint calculators you'll also be able to measure the impact of your lifestyle changes and see how close you can come to living sustainably-within the means of the earth to support you.
Discover More About the Environmental Footprint and Why It's Important
http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/ecologicalfootprint/default.asp
http://www.footprintnetwork.org/index.php
Footprint Calculators:
http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/ecologicalfootprint/calculators/default.asp
http://www.earthday.net/Footprint/index.asp
http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/ecological_footprint_calculator.htm