Ecological Footprints (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Flashcards
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Define ecological footprint.
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Define ecological footprint.
An ecological footprint measures the impact of human activities on the environment by calculating the amount of land, water, and other resources needed to sustain a person's or population's lifestyle.
Ecological footprints are measured in global (gha) per person.
Ecological footprints are measured in global hectares (gha) per person.
True or False?
An ecological footprint measures only the resources a population consumes.
False.
An ecological footprint includes both resource consumption and waste production.
What can ecological footprints be used to compare?
Ecological footprints can be used to compare the sustainability of different lifestyles, businesses, and even whole countries.
Which areas of consumption does an ecological footprint account for?
An ecological footprint accounts for food, water, energy, transportation, and waste disposal.
Define biocapacity.
Biocapacity is the amount of resources that the planet can provide sustainably.
What does it mean if a country's ecological footprint exceeds its available biocapacity?
If a country's ecological footprint exceeds its available biocapacity, its lifestyle is not sustainable in the long term.
What patterns of resource use are associated with a high ecological footprint?
A high ecological footprint is associated with greater energy consumption (especially from fossil fuels), higher water usage, more land use, and increased material consumption such as plastics and metals.
True or False?
Using renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels is associated with a lower ecological footprint.
True.
Renewable energy use is linked to a low ecological footprint, along with efficient water use, sustainable farming, and responsible land use.
The waste counted in an ecological footprint includes solid waste, carbon emissions, and .
The waste counted in an ecological footprint includes solid waste, carbon emissions, and wastewater.
What causes higher waste production in an ecological footprint?
Higher waste production results from excessive packaging, single-use plastics, and disposable goods, high carbon emissions from transportation and industry, and poor waste management.
How can waste production be lowered to reduce an ecological footprint?
Waste production can be lowered through recycling and composting, energy-efficient transportation and sustainable energy use, and government policies that encourage waste reduction.
Why are ecological footprints a useful tool?
Ecological footprints are useful for promoting sustainable development and raising awareness about the impact of human activities on the environment.
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