What was your ecological footprint

Read on to learn more, and find out what you can do to lower your own footprint and support a safe and sustainable future for the planet. Using this idea, ecological footprint accounting tracks how much nature we have and how much nature we use for the world, countries, regions, cities, and even individuals. Yet, humanity currently demands over 70 percent more than what our planet regenerates. How is nature able to make up the difference? By depleting stocks: cutting timber faster than it regrows, emitting more CO2 than is absorbed, pumping more groundwater than is being recharged, etc.

This business model only works so long — whether for farmers or for humanity as a whole. Get the latest from Climate Reality. The calculations also consider fossil fuels and the amount of forest needed to mitigate their carbon dioxide CO2 emissions. So by these metrics, things like overfishing exist in the same category as current CO2 emissions, with impacts that exceed what an ecosystem can supply or absorb.

We are collecting stories for a campaign for phase two of our mobile-friendly version of the calculator, which includes plans for an administrator platform for teachers. Why are my results on your new calculator different from the previous calculator?

Our former calculator was several years old. Global Footprint Network updates its data and methodology every year. Our new calculator features our latest data and methodology and will be much easier to update each year. Use a car with a smaller engine. Cars with smaller engines release less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Start a lift club. This will save money and reduce carbon emissions. Using public transport instead of your car also means less pollution in the air. Walk or cycle if possible. Did you know that if your home is electrified it is powered by fire? If you follow the wire on the other end of your wall socket out of your house and along the power lines to its source, it will probably end up at a coal-fired power station.

So when you switch on a light or any appliance, you are in effect starting a fire which emits carbon into the atmosphere — a major contributor to global warming. Energy-saving lamps use about a quarter of the electricity of ordinary lamps. Put on an extra jersey rather than turning the heat up. Properly insulating your house can also drastically reduce heating and cooling costs. Cook with small appliances where possible.

Toasters, electric grills, electric kettles and pressure cookers use less electricity than bigger appliances like electric stoves. Also, look out for energy efficiency ratings on appliances which will save energy and you money in the long run. Only boil the amount of water you need or leave the oven on only when really necessary. Take a shower rather than a bath. A shower uses less than half the water needed for a bath, which saves water as well as the electricity needed to heat it.

Try and take shorter showers. Save water by turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, shaving or washing your hands. Throw junk in the bin, not in the toilet. Dispose of tissues, dead insects and other waste in the bin where possible. Water your garden during the cool parts of the day. Look for hidden water leaks. We use cookies to analyse how visitors use our website and to help us provide the best possible experience for users. View our Cookie Policy. I accept. Toggle navigation.

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