Links on How to Make a Smaller Footprint

We all have an Ecological Footprint

Humans place a terrific demand on nature! Every action we make individually and collectively impacts the planet’s ecosystems. If the human use of resources does not exceed what Earth can renew it is not a major concern. Our Ecological Footprint measures the effect on nature for our demand for food, energy, fiber, the elimination of waste products and demand for other basic requirements for life.

What is the Eco-Footprint of Canadians?

The size of one’s footprint depends on consumption, and is very different for different countries and for different people living in a particular country. The ecological footprint of the average Canadian is about 8.5 ha (21 acres). This is the total amount of land required for food, housing, transport, consumer goods and services. The world average is about 2.8 ha (6.9 acres), while in India, the average person uses about .76 ha (1.98 acres). If the productive land globally is divided amongst all 6 billion citizens, we only have about 2 ha (4.9 acres) each.

We as Canadians need to reduce our footprints. If everyone had a footprint as large as ours – that is if everyone on the planet used as many resources and created as much waste as the average Canadian - we would need about FOUR earths to provide all the material and energy demanded!

The following links to various web sites help calculate our "Footprint" and give suggestions on how everyone can individually and collectively reduce the harm to the environment we leave behind.

LINKS

Find out how to save energy at home at the Government of Canada Web Site

Calculate your annual driving costs and CO2 emissions at www.carpool.ca

Idling your car gets you nowhere! Take a quiz and find out more.

Calculate your Footprint at Earthday Network.

Help your younger children learn about their Footprint at www.kidsfootprint.org.

Reduce your Footprint at home and at work. Learn how at the David Suzuki Foundation.

Find out what our Government is doing about environmental concerns.

A whole blue box full of environmental calculators and links from our Government.