Activity One - Measuring

While you have defined what an ecological footprint is at the beginning of this lesson it is interesting to find out what your personal ecological footprint is to be able to compare it to the rest of the world. The type of data collected and recorded is also interesting as it can skew the final result.

• • 1. Work out your ecological footprint using the Global Footprint Network Calculator.

    2. Now work out your ecological footprint using the World Wildlife Funds Calculator.

    3. What units did the sites put your measurements in?

    4. Which site do you think gave a more accurate value? Explain your answer.

Activity Two - Watch

It is important to know what our ecological footprints are but why is it that amount. We consume resources for a host of reasons and it is often to do with Living Standards and overall expectations. Watch the Ted Talk below about ecological footprint and answer the following questions.

• • 1. What are consumption habits doing to the planet?

    2. What factors influence the consumption of resources?

Useful Resource

Activity Three - Describe

The syllabus point asks you to look at national and global ecological footprint trends. Remember a trend is a change over time. Don't forget to include data in your answers.

• • 1. Using the graph below describe the changes to the world's ecological footprint.

    2. Using the link in the 'Useful Resources' box below describe the changes in the ecological footprint for our Big 5 countries (USA, UK, China, Morocco, Niger). You will need to click on the specific country to get a graph of the change in the ecological footprint.

    3. Using the second article in the 'Useful Resources' box - read the article and suggest whether there is a link between the level of development of a country and its ecological footprint. The graph at the bottom of the article is particularly interesting.