Introduction
The ecological footprint assessment is a tool used to measure the impact of human activity on the environment. The evaluation is based on the principle that the human impact on the environment can be measured by the amount of land and resources required to support a particular lifestyle or activity. The general conclusion from the ecological footprint assessment is that humans are using more resources than the planet can provide. This is causing environmental degradation and climate change. The amount of ecological footprint required by one person to comfortably survive is high, which is more than the world can offer for everyone. This is because some lands are unfit for human survival, leaving a limited area and contributing to scarcity.
My Ecological Footprint (EF) is 8.1 global hectares (gha), which is more than double the world average of 3.7 gha. My EF results suggest that my current lifestyle is not sustainable, as the 7.8 earths would be required to ensure everyone lived like me. My EF is primarily due to my consumption of meat and dairy, which significantly impact the environment. I also consume a lot of energy, which contributes to my EF. I live in a large house and have a car, both energy-intensive. I also travel a lot, which significantly impacts the environment. My lifestyle most likely represents a consumerist worldview.
Sustainable lifestyle Actions
First, I would switch to a primarily plant-based diet, which would lower my total CF considerably. Ulucak & Khan (2020) found that the average person could reduce their carbon footprint by up to 73% simply by switching to a plant-based diet. The production of animal-based foods requires significantly more resources than plant-based foods and generates more greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, I would practice reducing energy consumption at home. Simple measures, ncluding turning off lights, not in use, using energy-efficient appliances, and unplugging electronics when not in use can lower someone’s energy consumption. This, in turn, would lead to a reduction in a person’s carbon footprint and save money on energy bills.
Switching to a primarily plant-based diet may be challenging for some people, as it requires a change in eating habits. However, many plant-based foods are just as delicious as their animal-based counterparts, and with some creativity, it is possible to make the switch without sacrificing taste (Ulucak & Khan, 2020). Reducing energy consumption at home is a relatively easy change, but it requires some forethought and mindfulness.
The “Tragedy of the Commons” is a concept that describes how individuals, acting in their self-interest, can collectively destroy a shared resource. This is relevant to sustainability because people need to be careful not to deplete the resources that they all share and need. Individuals need to implement lifestyle changes to make the world more sustainable because people collectively have a much more significant impact than they realize (Kongbuamai et al., 2020). For example, if everyone in the world switched to a mainly plant-based diet, it would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Similarly, if everyone reduced their energy consumption, it would also significantly reduce emissions. Individuals need to take responsibility for their environmental impact and change their lifestyles to protect the world’s resources for future generations.
Conclusion
Humans are impacting the environment more than the planet can sustain. This is causing environmental degradation and climate change. Individuals need to take responsibility for their impact and change their lifestyles to reduce their ecological footprint. These changes can be as simple as switching to a primarily plant-based diet or reducing energy consumption at home. If everyone takes these small steps, it can lead to a much larger impact and help make the world more sustainable.
References
Kongbuamai, N., Bui, Q., Yousaf, H. M., & Liu, Y. (2020). The impact of Tourism and Natural Resources on the ecological footprint: A case study of Asian countries. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27(16), 19251–19264. Web.
Ulucak, R., & Khan, S. U. D. (2020). Determinants of the ecological footprint: role of renewable energy, natural resources, and urbanization. Sustainable Cities and Society, 54, 101996. Web.