{"id":4672,"date":"2016-08-21T01:15:12","date_gmt":"2016-08-21T01:15:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/course.oeru.org\/csf102\/?page_id=4672"},"modified":"2016-08-21T01:15:12","modified_gmt":"2016-08-21T01:15:12","slug":"ecological-footprint-and-hand-print","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/course.oeru.org\/csf102\/learning-pathways\/identifying-trends-and-drivers-of-change\/ecological-footprint-and-hand-print\/","title":{"rendered":"Ecological footprint and hand print"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Emerging measurements of human impacts on the planet are gaining mainstream credibility. The Ecological Footprint has been developed by an international coalition called the Global Footprint Network as a measure of our use of the planet\u2019s biocapacity. The Ecological Handprint measure seeks to build upon the Footprint measure and reframe the concept of sustainability by looking not just at ecological impacts but also ensuring sustenance for those in need.\n<\/p>\n

Ecological Footprint<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Footprint in the sand<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The \u2018ecological footprint\u2019 of humanity is gaining attention as way of measuring the amount of resources we consume and the waste we produce against the planet\u2019s ability to produce those resources and \u2018digest\u2019 our waste. Currently, every year we are exceeding the planet\u2019s \u2018biocapacity\u2019 to perform these functions by about 50%. The ecological footprint calls this an \u2018overshoot\u2019. In 2014, overshoot day – that is the day we used up 100% of the planet\u2019s biocapacity – fell on August 19th. But in 2016 we will have reached overshoot day even earlier, on August 8. We use more ecological resources and services than nature can regenerate through overfishing, overharvesting forests and emitting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than forests can sequester.<\/p>\n


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Have a look at the following:\n<\/p>\n

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  1. the Global Footprint Network\u2019s overview webpage<\/a> to understand more about how the Ecological Footprint is defined.\n<\/li>\n
  2. Earth Overshoot Day<\/a>.\n<\/li>\n
  3. Earth Overshoot Day 2016<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    Ecological Handprint<\/span><\/h2>\n
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    Handprint<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Ecological Handprints bring a social dimension to the issue of measuring our Footprint and recognise the need for people\u2019s needs to be met as part of the sustainability agenda. This concept suggests that we can achieve a high level of human development without compromising the ecological systems upon which all life depends.<\/p>\n


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    Learning journal activity<\/h2>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t
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    This activity is required for students seeking formal credit.<\/b> Other students may complete a learning journal but it will not be assessed.\n<\/p>\n