Ecological footprint refers to the amount of land and water area required to replenish the resources that a human population consumes.
In the psychology context, the ecological footprint refers to the impact that human activities have on the natural environment. It is a measure of the amount of land and water that is required to produce the goods and services that individuals and societies consume, as well as to absorb the waste and pollution that is generated.
Examples of ecological footprint can include:
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Carbon footprint: The amount of carbon dioxide that is emitted through activities such as transportation, electricity use, and manufacturing.
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Water footprint: The amount of water that is required to produce goods and services, including the water used in agriculture, industry, and households.
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Land footprint: The amount of land that is required to produce food, timber, and other resources, as well as to absorb waste and pollution.
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Ecological overshoot: When the ecological footprint exceeds the capacity of the natural environment to sustainably support human activities.
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Sustainable footprint: A footprint that is within the limits of what the natural environment can sustainably support, allowing for the needs of future generations to be met.
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Individual footprint: The ecological impact of an individual's lifestyle and consumption patterns, including their diet, transportation, housing, and other activities.
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National footprint: The ecological impact of a country's economy and consumption patterns, including its exports and imports.