Title: TASK: The ecological footprint
Course: GG 22/23 Leuphana-Copy > Section: 1. What is sustainability?

Ever wondered how much 'nature' your lifestyle requires? You’re about to find out. The 'ecological footprint quiz' estimates the amount of land and ocean area required to sustain your consumption patterns and absorb your wastes on an annual basis. After answering 27 easy questions you’ll be able to compare your ecological footprint to others’ and learn how to reduce your impact on the Earth.

Center for Sustainable Economy

Below you will find a series of activities focusing on the ecological footprint. Explore this concept using these materials.

1. What is the ecological footprint?

Watch these videos to learn about the concept of the ecological footprint. Below each video you will find some keywords that are explained in it. Take notes and try to define these terms. Together with your classmates, insert your definitions into the GLOSSARY: Sustainability Lingo.

Video
Global Footprint Network: What is ecological overshoot?

Keywords: ecological footprint, ecological debt, ecological credit or capital, global overshoot

Video
Veolia: Let's reduce our environmental footprint!

Keywords: environment, footprint, carbon footprint, water footprint, resources footprint, ecosystems footprint

2. What is your ecological footprint?

Explore your own ecological footprint and become aware of your lifestyle's impact on our planet's limited resources.

- Visit the WWF website and answer the questions.
- Report your results in the FORUM: Ecological footprints and comment on the entries of your classmates. (You will find helpful guiding questions in the forum.)

Interactive
WWF UK: Footprint calculator

OPTIONAL 3. Comparing ecological footprints

Just like individual persons, countries can have ecological footprints, too. Take a look at the following graph. It shows the carbon dioxide emissions per capita for some selected countries. There seem to be some striking differences between them. Can you find out why?

- Read the diagram and explain to each other what the lines and figures stand for. Ask each other if something is unclear.
- In your group or course, brainstorm and discuss possible reasons for these differences. Note down hypotheses that could explain the graph below.
- Do a web-search to find out the reasons behind these figures. The link to the World Bank website below is a good first reference. Take detailed notes of results and the sources you use (e.g., in your blog).

[fa-files-o] You want to know more?

Here are some more interesting links:

This is the trailer of the full-length TV documentary produced by National Geographic. It uses mind-boggling statistics and visualizations to show how our daily consumption habits impact on the environment. To watch the entire film, visit this playlist.

video
National Geographic: The Human Footprint

This website provides a collection of sustainability-themed games. Click here to search for games.

interactive video
Games4Sustainability