There are many Ecological Footprint calculators on the web but the ones that follow the international Ecological Footprint standards are more credible and consistent. The standards state that Ecological Footprint calculates the amount of biologically productive area (land and sea) is needed to produce the resources for human population and to absorb its carbon dioxide emissions. Thus, using calculators with transparent information on methodology and created by Global Footprint Network partner, which means it complies with Ecological Footprint standards is important.
According to the Global Footprint Network, a person can't live in a country with the means of resources from one planet because of services or societal impacts. They include government, healthcare, entertainment, legal services, military, real estate, restaurants and roads and infrastructure that everyone living in the country contributes to. Therefore, being more sustainable is not just changing one's lifestyle but also influencing their governments.
I agree that influencing the government is one of the key solutions. As shown in the lecture, the area where the country makes the most money and people have less say in is where the largest Ecological Footprint comes from. Also, people's lifestyles are strongly dependant on life cycle of products, operation of government and public services and design of national infrastructure. Global Footprint Network states that "governments need to dramatically improve the efficiency of the built environment and invest in renewable energy and smart land-use planning."
According to the Global Footprint Network, a person can't live in a country with the means of resources from one planet because of services or societal impacts. They include government, healthcare, entertainment, legal services, military, real estate, restaurants and roads and infrastructure that everyone living in the country contributes to. Therefore, being more sustainable is not just changing one's lifestyle but also influencing their governments.
I agree that influencing the government is one of the key solutions. As shown in the lecture, the area where the country makes the most money and people have less say in is where the largest Ecological Footprint comes from. Also, people's lifestyles are strongly dependant on life cycle of products, operation of government and public services and design of national infrastructure. Global Footprint Network states that "governments need to dramatically improve the efficiency of the built environment and invest in renewable energy and smart land-use planning."
Because currently it will take 1.6 planets to sustain the world's population, which means we are turning resources into waste faster than they can be replenished, searching for alternative solutions is important too because we humans are good at it and it is very hard to ask people to change. No matter how hard, spreading correct knowledge about sustainability is the first step to create a ripple of changes for a more sustainable future.
Resources
http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/footprint_calculator_frequently_asked_questions/
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