Sustainability/Ecological Footprint The Toy Sustainability/Ecological Footprint

The Cost Human activity and consumption has a cost on our environment. It is polluting our environment and placing stress on our natural resources. We are using up both our natural non- renewable resources and our renewable resources. Collapsing fisheries, deforestation, species extinction, and shortage of fresh water.

Warning! In 1987, the World Commission on Environment and Development warned that unless changes are made with our lifestyles and consumption habits, the world will face irreversible levels of damage to our environment. Enter the term : SUSTAINABILITY

What is Sustainability Sustainability is meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Is it realistic to eliminate all environmental impact. Sustainability requires a balancing act between meeting our needs and wants and maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Thought of the day Identify three ways in your community that show the environment is under stress. List three ways that you can help our community become more sustainable.

Ecological Footprint Ecological footprint is an environmental measuring tool, expressed in hectares, that allows us to measure the impact that a population, individual, a community, a nation, or world, places on the environment. It adds up the total land area needed to produce the resources used and dispose of the waste we throw away.

Ecological Footprint Three essential questions 1. How much space is required for us to live the way we choose to live 2. If everyone lived this way, what would our world look like. 3. How can we take care of our needs as well as take care of the Earth.

Our Ecological Footprint The average ecological footprint in Canada is 8.6 hectares per person (3rd highest). Why do you think our ecological footprint is so high.

Answers Eating Travelling Consumption habits Heating and Air Conditioning Size of homes Leisure activities

Thought of the Day Complete own ecological print survey Once completed, answer this question: 1. Identify four ways that you can reduce your personal ecological footprint.