...ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT Mohammad Khanbashi Managing for Sustainability In 2007, the Earth’s people used about 50% more natural resources than the planet could regenerate.1 A measure of the impact humans have on the environment is called an ecological footprint. A country’s ecological footprint is the sum of all the cropland, grazing land, forest and fishing grounds required to produce the food, fiber and timber it consumes, to absorb the wastes emitted when it uses energy and to provide space for infrastructure. WWF’s Living Planet Report 2010 found that in 2007 the global ecological footprint was 18 billion hectares. This means that the Earth’s people needed 18 billion hectares of productive land in order to provide each and every person with the resources they required to support their lifestyle 1 . Living Planet Report, WWF, GFN and ZSL, 2010 and to absorb the wastes they produced. The bad news is that there were only 11.9 billion global hectares available. In Australia, we’re consuming more than three times our fair share of the planet’s natural resources. If we continue these consumption patterns, we will face an ecological overshoot that will have far-reaching future consequences for people and nature. Australians have one of the largest environmental footprints per capita in the world, requiring 6.8 global hectares per person. If all people consumed the Earth’s resources the way that we do in Australia, it would take the resources of more...
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...Ecological Footprint Since the industrial revolution, human’s demand for natural resources is greater than ever. Consumption and waste are extremely high in some countries and this is negatively impacting on our natural environment. If human’s develop the world by destroying the environment, that will not be lasting and sustainable development. We need to find the way to deal with the human development and also preserve the natural resources. The definition of the ‘ecological footprint’ is a way of measuring our impact on the natural environment as a result of our resource use(WWF, n.d). The purpose of this essay is to find out the ecological footprint in different countries and how resources being used and give to my personal suggestions. This essay, will compare the ecological footprint between two countries, Japan which is developed country and China --- developing country. China consumes 15% of the global biocapacity, and is in the second place in the world but also has the largest population. In 2003, China’s ecological footprint was 1.6(China Ecological Footprint Report, 2012), under the global per capita average of ecological footprint. Carbon footprint occupies half of the whole ecological footprint. From the same year’s figure of The Ecological Footprint Countries (China Ecological Footprint Report, 2012), Japan 4.4 per capita is in the first of Asian countries. Japanese mountain accounted for 73% of total land area, in addition to agricultural land, one percent...
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...or decrease the classes' contribution to the carbon cycle during the term? Consider the differences between the two in terms of methods of travel, and use of facilities, energy, and other resources. Remember to focus on the impact to the carbon cycle. Part 2) Complete the ecological footprint quiz at the following link: http://myfootprint.org/en/visitor_information and report your results. What did you learn about you and your family's impact on the environment? • Part 1) We decrease the distribution to the carbon cycle by being in online classes, because the burning of fossil fuels increase the amount of CO2 being distributed into the air. Being in online classes keeps one indoors to do their classwork and participate. • Part 2) My carbon footprint is 59.47, My food footprint is 76.46, My housing footprint is 34.17, My goods and services footprint is 21.15. If everyone in the planet lived my lifestyle, we would need 4.95 earths. After doing this quiz, it showed me that I need to start recycling a little more and buying products that would be better for me and the environment specially when it comes to the foods I eat, I need to eat more healthier and spend less on fast food items which is something me and my family frequent every weekend. I did not know just the little things I do could effect the environment so much. Exercise 2. Using ONE ecosystem from the list below, explain the role of the carbon, hydrologic, phosphorus, and nitrogen cycles in this ecosystem. Choose from...
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...Iced teas have become a common choice of beverage in the U.S. They come in a form of packets, ready –to-drink bottles, fountain syrups, or freshly brewed. Nowadays, they can be found simply at any places that carry beverages, within my community would be; 711, Ralphs market, and a Walmart store. According to the report by Tea Association of the U.S.A Inc., Tea Fact Sheet –2013, Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world next to water and can be found in almost 80% of all U.S. households. The statistic suggested that over 158 million Americans drink tea on any given day (Teausa.com, 2014). It should also be noted that over 65% of tea consumed in U.S. was prepared using tea bags. Furthermore, according to the article by Washingtonpost.com, Americans prefer iced tea than they do of hot tea. In particular more than 85% of tea consumed in the U.S. is chilled (Ferdman, “America is slowly-but surely-becoming a nation of tea drinkers”, 2014) Tea is an evergreen plant that grows mainly in tropical and subtropical climate, commonly grown in the mountainous areas at around 3,000 – 7,000 feet above the sea level. Even though Americans love to drink tea, there are only a few states with a fitting climate condition and to produce them under allowable season. It is due to this factor that makes it harder for the U.S soil to mass-produce tea under its own soil. Thus, the high demands for tea have to be met by the method of importation from other countries such as Argentina...
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...sentience which definitively applies to broader a species. Sentience, as it is theoretical, is inclusive of moral consideration, "The capacity for suffering and enjoying things is a prerequisite for having interests at all, a condition that must be satisfied before we can speak of interests in any meaningful way (Singer, 1974).” The application of industry leaves a footprint in the delicate ecosystems of the earth which normally espouses a plethora of creatures known to regulate the respective biosphere. Far before humanity wandered to and fro the earth, animal life met extinction by natural causes nevertheless our dominance single-handedly exploits the environment and pollutes far worse than any means of naturalism—subjecting animal life into conditions which factor into the extinction rate. Humanity is pressured to adopt the moral obligation to those species we have endangered. Utilizing the research of Barry (2009), Sawhill (1992), and Singer (1974) my topic briefly addresses the moral obligation to support endangered species and furthermore the means by which to re-implement them in numbers and lessen our ecological footprint in the...
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...The solution forest managers have enacted is only a band aid on the severe outbreak of pine beetle, but by not implementing it they are left without any information on whether or not their practices are helping. Managing the forest isn't something that results are seen overnight, but takes years and years to see the outcome of implemented solutions. So, if nothing is implemented or done to alleviate the environmental issue then forest managers will have no scientific information from studies or monitoring reports to effectively deal with beetle outbreaks now or in the...
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...Explain the difference between Neoclassical Environmental Economics, Ecological Economics, and Natural Resource Economics. The three approaches originate from three different schools of thought. Broadly, Neoclassical Environmental Economics (NEE) is the opposite of the Ecological Economics (EE), and Natural Resource Economics (NRE) lies somewhere between them. Let’s begin with the opposing views. Field states, ‘Environmental Economics is the application of the principles of economics to the study of how environmental resources are managed. (Field & Field 2013:2). In gist, NEE is an Anthropospheric view of the environment through micro and macro-economic principles and sociopolitical influences that ignores the other spheres of life. The environment, is a subsystem of economics and has no intrinsic value. It is merely a factor of production, and only manufactured goods/services have an intrinsic value. EE, on the other hand, is a holistic approach, broader in scope, concerned with the supply and demand of energy and matter within the biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere - where contrastingly, the Anthroposphere is the subsystem. EE claims that NEE is totally dependent on the environment and that residuals and pollution are disruptive to natural processes and diminishes the earth’s bio-capacity. Environmental Economics’ primary focus is to manage the environment to supply services and goods in exchange for money (MO 2015 quoting Tietenberg 2014:7) whereas...
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...carbon footprints that can make a difference as a whole. There is a broad spectrum of choices to be made as a consumer everything from groceries to the transportation method used to get them can be evaluated. Grocery shopping for many Americans, myself included, consists of making purchases based on taste preference and cost. However, intergrading the actual dollar value as well as taxation on the environment of production into the cost of that product could drastically reduce our carbon footprint. Hamershlag (2011) found the three highest production emission levels come from lamb, beef, and cheese respectively. Production emissions in this case can be defined as all emissions prior and post product leaving the farm. Taking a closer look at beef, one of the highest consumed meats in our country, for every 2.2 pounds of meat 59.6 pounds of CO2e, carbon dioxide equivalents are produced. If several consumers individual substituted chicken for beef the reduction of CO2e would be staggering. This change in one purchase is a reduction of 44.6lb of CO2e. Take that to the global level and that switch becomes as much of an impact as a large purchase such as a vehicle. When looking in depth at my own impact on our environment I clearly see ways in which I have failed to make the environmental friendly choice. When I look at these choices and where I am today I realize it is time to take a step back and evaluate the largest aspect of my personal carbon footprint, my...
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...The term ‘carbon footprint’ has become tremendously popular over the last few years and is now in widespread use across the media. With climate change high up on the political and corporate agenda, carbon footprint calculations are in strong demand. Numerous approaches have been proposed to provide estimates, ranging from basic online calculators to sophisticated life-cycle analysis or input-output-based methods and tools. Despite its ubiquitous use however, there is an apparent lack of academic definitions of what exactly a ‘carbon footprint’ is meant to be. The scientific literature is surprisingly void of clarifications, despite the fact that countless studies in energy and ecological economics that could have claimed to measure a ‘carbon footprint’ have been published over decades. This report explores the apparent discrepancy between public and academic use of the term ‘carbon footprint’ and suggests a scientific definition based on commonly accepted accounting principles and modelling approaches. It addresses methodological question such as system boundaries, completeness, comprehensiveness, units and robustness of the indicator. >>> Processes causing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions benefit humans by providing consumer goods and services. This benefit, and hence the responsibility for emissions, varies by purpose or consumption category and is unevenly distributed across and within countries. We quantify greenhouse gas emissions associated with the final consumption...
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...Sustainability Media Journal 111857253 Xuxu Miao The concept of sustainable development spread first into the mainstream in the 1980s. These years, driven by internal and external factors, many corporations are beginning to integrate sustainability into their business models to gain competitive advantage in today’s market. This essay will introduce what forces the corporation to become sustainable and what corporation can do to achieve sustainability while listing an example of an ideal corporation in this term. Both of the external and internal drivers accelerate transformation towards sustainability for corporation. The worsening environment in China is prominent power for moving to sustainability currently. The push to clean up the country's air, land and water has forced company to transform its developing model. Though China has become the world's second- largest economy, it is still in the lower part of the world's industry chain and has a lot of industries with excessive energy consumption and high pollution. Due to social and economic factors, Hebei provincial government in January this year has banned approvals of new steel, cement, glass and nonferrous metal plants-these industries are both environment killers and economic drivers in Hebin (Jin Haixing 2014). It can be seen that these industries have to change their way of operation, which can add the most value with the least use of resources and pollution. Meanwhile, increasing public awareness of sustainability...
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... 4 3.3.1 Salon Genius Software 4 3.4 Customer Demand for Environmentally Friendly Products 5 4.0 Conclusion 5 5.0 Recommendations 5 Bibliography Appendix 1.0 Introduction As part of my HNC Administration and IT course I have been asked by my communication lecturer to investigate and write a report by delivering a concrete understanding outlining the benefits of being green to the environment and the organisation. It will explore one of the UK’s revolutionary greenest hair salon Élan Hair Design. The report was to be submitted by 01/10/14 and the recommendations that were asked for were: * To research the environment and the need for sustainability and apply it to a hairdressing business. * To research green business practices and apply it to a hairdressing business. * To research green ICT and apply it to a hairdressing business. * To assess customer demand for Environmental friendly products and apply to a hairdressing business. 2.0 Terms of Reference For research, this report used the internet and a questionnaire 3.0 Findings 3.1 Sustainability Sustainability is supporting long term ecological balance by using natural resources protecting human health and the environment; it is important to have the water, materials and the resources now and continue to have in the future. (EPA Environmental Protection...
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...Management, International Claudio Becker Baselstrasse 47, CH - 6003 Luzern Cell-phone: 0041 78 659 59 36 E-mail: info@claudio-becker.ch CLAUDIO BECKER | BA DESIGN MANAGEMENT, INTERNATIONAL TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract 1. Introduction 2. Reference to design management 3. State of the Art 3.1 The context 3.2 Introduction to packaging 3.2.1 The fundamentals of packaging 3.2.2 The packaging design process 3.3 Sustainable packaging 3.3.1 What is sustainability? 3.3.2 What is sustainable packaging? 3.3.3 Materials 3.3.4 Barriers & drivers 3.4 Practise examples 3.4.1 Company overview 3.4.2 Comparison 4. Analysis / Synthesis 4.1 Insights 4.2 Sustainable packaging criteria 4.3 Recommendations 4.4 Conclusion Bibliography Books Reports Webography Monography Acknowledgements Declaration of Authorship Appendices PAG E III p. V p. 1 p. 2 p. 4 p. 4 p. 6 p. 6 p. 8 p. 10 p. 10 p. 14 p. 22 p. 25 p. 28 p. 28 p. 29 p. 32 p. 32 p. 38 p. 39 p. 44 p. 45 CLAUDIO BECKER | BA DESIGN MANAGEMENT, INTERNATIONAL LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 | p. 2 | Dimensions of Design Management in Organizations by Acklin and Hirter 2009 Figure 2...
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...development across varied fields and regions, with specific attention to rapid temporal changes and with legal sanctity, we cannot think of happy future generations, for which we, the humans are to be blamed undoubtedly and mother Earth shall not forgive us. The innumerable effects of unsustainable development, as we are already experiencing, are quite adverse and mostly irreversible like Climate Change, Global Warming, La Niña, El Niño, Ecological Imbalance, Water Scarcity, increased levels of Atmospheric Pollution, Soil Contamination etc. Even though these detrimental effects cannot be mitigated completely, they can be contained using frugal engineering which in turn helps in achieving sustainable development. The various aspects of how frugal engineering leads to sustainability are explained in this paper. KEY WORDS Frugal Engineering, Sustainable Development, Mitigation Measures, Ecological Balance, PROLOGUE As I was reading the theme for this write up, one thing that hinted me is a very fancy mobile which is bought anew for around 50,000 by one of my friends, and which has got lot of features, but seldom more than two or three features are used. Tips for effective utilization of the mobile have been explained to him. The Institution of Engineers INDIA has taken up a very apt topic for discussion, at the right time. “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed” ~ Mahatma Gandhi Development that is not sustainable is not development at all. Due to...
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... Table of Contents Sustainable Management Initiatives 2 How Hotel Ratings Are Determined 4 5 Star Hotels – Ritz Carleton 4 4 Star Hotels – Hyatt 5 3 Star Hotels – Hilton 7 2 Star Hotels – Days Inn (Wyndham) 8 1 Star Hotels – Econo Lodge 9 Conclusion 9 Bibliography 10 In today’s world environmentally sustainable management is an important issue in many industries. The tourism industry has a large impact on the economic benefits of a country by increasing jobs, increasing income, and GDP. However, the tourism industry also has a great impact on the environment. These environmental impacts are not always as positive as economical one. It is important for hotels to help their communities by reducing their carbon footprint. It is for this reason, that many hotel chains have created environmental sustainability strategies. In this essay, I will briefly discuss agenda 21, and other sustainable management initiatives. I will also examine, several different hotel chains, in an attempt to see if their environmental strategies are consistent with a hotel’s rating. Sustainable Management Initiatives Agenda 21 was presented at the World Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Its purpose it “to provide a blueprint for securing the sustainable future of the planet” (Agenda 21, n.d.). This initiative outlined the following areas that may help hotels create their environmental sustainable strategies: 1. Waste minimization. 2. Energy conservation. ...
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...Fair Trade program. This program ensures that coffee bean growers in impoverished countries receive a reasonable wage for their harvest (www.globalexchange.org). In the past, market fluctuation, bean surpluses, and currency disparity severely affected growers’ income worldwide. With such an enormous global demand for coffee, it is sound business practice to compensate these workers fairly and encourage sustainable farming practices. This will decrease the environmental damage caused by the production of beans, leading to a more secure crop supply – positively impacting the coffee market at large. 2. A recent study by the UK’s Institute of Grocery Distribution determined that the majority of consumers do not buy fair trade products. The report noted, “self-interest is at the center of food choice for most consumers. Few consumers consider the impact of their purchase decisions on anyone or anything but themselves and their family.” Do you agree with this finding? I completely agree with this finding and feel that for the majority of consumers, it is the proper course of action. It would be grand if every person in the world were concerned with responsible sourcing and procurement,...
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