My Ecological Footprint Lab

In this assignment, you will become familiar with the concept of the Ecological Footprint, calculate your
own footprint, compare the average footprint of several countries, and identify some ways that you
could reduce your footprint.

Complete this lab, and then use your answers to take the Ecological Footprint Lab Check Quiz

Click on the following link: https://www.footprintnetwork.org/our-work/ecological-footprint/. Read

through the information on this webpage, and answer the following questions:

Ecological Footprint accounting measures the _______ on and ______ of nature.

How does an ecological footprint help countries, local leaders, and individuals?

Define:
 Ecological Footprint: ______________________________________________________
 Biocapacity: ____________________________________________________________
 Global Hectare: __________________________________________________________
 Ecological Deficit: ________________________________________________________
 Ecological Reserve: _______________________________________________________
 Ecological Overshoot: _____________________________________________________

Click on the “Calculate Your Footprint “link at the top of the page. Answer the questions (to the best of
your knowledge) and calculate your footprint. Use the information on the Results page to answer the
following questions:

Results Part 1:
 How many Earth’s do you need? ______
Results Part 2:
 What is your ecological footprint? _____
 What is your carbon footprint? _____

What are some life style changes you could make to lower your ecological footprint?
Click on the “Explore Your Data” Tab.
Select the following countries and write down their Bio Reserve/Deficit:
 USA: _____
 Canada: _____
 Australia: _____
 China: _____
 Brazil: _____
 United Kingdom: ____
 South Africa:____

What factors do you think influence your findings?