1. Module 2 Intro

1.12. Lesson 3 Intro

Module 2 Lesson 3

Module 2—Biosphere Equilibrium and the Impact of Humans

Lesson 3—The Ecological Footprint of Humans

 

Get Focused

 

This image shows a footprint on the globe.

© BaeBae Design/iStockphoto

Footprints follow you wherever you go. Police use footprints as evidence. Footprints show where you have been.  Footprints leave marks. You know that you leave a footprint when you walk in sand, for example, but what about your ecological footprint? What kinds of things that you do or use leave a footprint on the biosphere? If you keep the thought “we are all connected as one” in mind, does your ecological footprint “step” on others?

 

Have you ever taken an ecological footprint quiz? To find the quiz, type the keywords “Mountain Equipment Co-op” or “MEC” in a search engine. From this page, use the search box in the top left-hand corner of the site. Enter the keywords “ecological footprint.”

 

The quiz will allow you to find out how much productive land and water you use to support your lifestyle. Once you reach the end of the quiz, look for the “Take Action” section. Read about how you can reduce your footprint.

 

What were your results? Is your lifestyle sustainable? Record your results in your course folder for use later in this lesson.

 

ecological footprint: an analysis of human consumption of natural resources compared to the ability of Earth to recreate them

 

An ecological footprint gives an estimate of the area in hectares that is required for a human to live based on his or her lifestyle. Most North-American lifestyles are not currently sustainable, according to the analyses.

 

 



Consider the following question as you complete this lesson:

  • How do human activities influence the biosphere?

Module 2: Lesson 3 Assignment


Your teacher-marked Module 2: Lesson 3 Assignment requires you to submit a response to the following:

  • TR 1. Ecological Footprints

  • Reflect and Connect

You can access your Module 2: Lesson 3 Assignment. You can print off the assignment or save the download to your computer. Your answers can be saved on this document to your course folder.


You must decide what to do with the questions that are not marked by the teacher.

 

Remember that these questions provide you with the practice and feedback that you need to successfully complete this course. You should respond to all the questions and place those answers in your course folder.