Abstract This paper discusses how ecologicalfootprints, effective ecological tools used to help maintain our world, impose many questions in sustaining the earth's life. Charts are included with the paper.
Defining Our EcologicalFootprint Dependency on Nature
Carrying Capacity of Cities and Earth
Comparison between Countries
Natural Capita: Effects on the Earth
Impact of the World Economies
Solutions
From the Paper "The world economy has a great impact on the ecological footprints of the world. Every country wants to obtain economic growth to produce more money. But in doing this, they have to deplete their natural capital, which in turn, is not helping in sustaining this world. As William Rees states, "there is simply not enough on the planet to sustain present international development trends using prevailing technologies" (Westra and Werhane ed. 1998, 115). So something drastic has to be done. As the ecological footprints of humans are already too large for the earth to handle, how can we accommodate the rising materials and rising in population, while trying to sustain the earth. Most analysts agree that it can happen in two ways: through a reduction in the standard of living or through the increase in material and energy efficiency (Westra and Werhane ed. 1998, 115). These two issues also apply problems, through cultural, economic, and social values. Especially in the more developed countries. To lower the standard of living would be outright rejected in the more developed countries such as Canada and the U. S. So indeed, most people agree that "global sustainability is achievable only through large increases in the consumption of goods and services in both poorer and richer countries" (Westra and Werhane ed. 1998, 115). But still a problem arises. There will still be inequity in the growth of the more and less developed countries. It seems the richer get richer and the poorer get poorer. A consensus seems to be emerging though. They say that the needed consumption will work if there is a reduction in the material energy costs of goods and services. "
Abstract This paper explains that the ecologicalfootprint of a person is the area of biologically productive land and water region needed to supply the resources and assimilate the waste generated by that particular person, using the customary technology. The paper further explains that the ecologicalfootprint is an excellent tool that enables us to clearly see our own environmental impact. It is important in many ways.
Abstract This paper explains that things, such as cell phones, i-pods, planes and cars have made lives more convenient but they leave an ecologicalfootprint by using up environmental resources. The author points out that the concept of an ecologicalfootprint also is a resource management tool, which measures how much land and water area a human population requires to produce the resources it consumes and to absorb its wastes under prevailing technology. The paper stresses that each region of the earth has a biological capacity. The author underscores that the responsibility to preserve the environment for the future generations can be achieved by seeking alternative methods, such as prevention, adaptation and mitigation. The paper stresses that it is up to individuals to monitor activities and resource consumption and to play an active part in the sustainability of the environment.
From the Paper "Another type of ecological footprint that is affecting us at an alarming rate is the carbon footprints. Whenever human activities involve the burning of fossil fuels, carbon dioxide is emitted. This goes in the atmosphere, contributing to global climate change, unless it can be captured and stored by plants. The carbon footprint therefore measures the demand on bio-capacity that results from burning fossil fuels in terms of the amount of forest area required to absorb these carbon dioxide emissions."
Abstract This paper examines how the general definition of an ecologicalfootprint is the way a community, a nation, or an individual makes use of the ecological resources available to it and how much it taxes the currently existing resources of the present, as well as how this will impact the environmental future. It looks at how the footprint is usually deployed as a way of calculating the methods by which that entity makes use of the particular resources available to it on a collective or personal level and how it is important both as a predictive device of how the environment may be damaged by particular ways of life and as an important political tool for environmental organizations.
From the Paper "The typical lifestyles and luxuries of the average American, the notion of an ecological footprint suggests, does little to enhance the ecological qualities of life, and does much to cause the deterioration of the land. (Ecological Footprint Calculator, 1999) The notion of calculation poses the notion that the resources of the earth and every land pass are indeed finite, and cannot be squandered for only a relatively few members of the population of the earth, most of whom are concentrated in Western, industrialized nations such and most particularly in the United States. "
Abstract This paper explores the concepts of carbon and ecological neutrality, the ecologicalfootprint and the carbon footprint. The paper first explains how these concepts are measured. The paper then discusses solutions to reduce the levels of carbon emissions while decreasing mankind's overall ecologicalfootprint.
Outline:
Carbon Neutral and the Footprint of Humanity
The Carbon and EcologicalFootprint Solutions to Reduce the Damage to the Environment
From the Paper "The concept of being carbon neutral means to not damage the environment through Co2 emissions, which may be accomplished in two ways. One is to do absolutely no polluting; however in modern society this is not particularly possible, with the other being to match destruction with reduction, thus balancing things out. This concept however is founded upon the concepts of the footprints made by humanity. The human race is a population of consumers in every sense. All opportunities to utilize something towards progress or profit are capitalized upon. The earth as well as the population is harvested for its value, taking it and placing it upon the open market in the endless pursuit of capital generation. In tandem with this mass consumption is also heavy waste, as not all resources are infinite, and particular ways of life are not geared towards conservation."
Abstract This paper examines the ecological and environmental future of the earth. It contrasts the optimistic view of The Skeptical Environmentalist with pessimistic analyses of the ecologicalfootprints of various countries. It concludes that optimistic assessments of the environmental future of the earth are misplaced.
This paper explains how wildlife management and ecological restoration are thought to be the same concept, but their objectives and goals are often very different.
Abstract This paper uses the San Marcos Springs ecosystem and its endangered species as an example of how wildlife management and ecological restoration may seem to compliment each other but, actually they are seeking out different goals. It explains that in order to preserve the endangered native species, all of current species located in the ecosystem must be considered.
From the Paper "Wildlife conservation and management have been called the art and science of managing wildlife species, habitats, and ecosystems for long-term human benefit. The first system of wildlife conservation was an Eastern rather than a Western idea, developed by the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire (Smith 1976). Although the art of managing wildlife is centuries old, the science is relatively new and is becoming increasingly important all the time. However, science is only part of how we view and manage our wildlife resources. Social, cultural, political, and legal constraints and issues often have more to do with how wildlife resources are managed than pure science. Understanding these constraints and issues is fundamental to conservation and management. J. B. Kauffman (1997) stated that a successful ?conservation programme cannot be based on a preoccupation with saving the animal itself. Its total environment must be preserved.? This type of forward thinking helped change the idea of single species conservation and gave rise to the concept of restoration ecology."
Abstract The central claim of "deep ecology" is that we need to correct an anthropocentric bias in our attitudes to the nonhuman world, and in particular to extend moral concern across time and across species. This paper will examine the benefits and the shortcomings of anthropocentrism within the framework of 'deep ecology'. As well, this paper will attempt to demonstrate both the value and some of the limitations of this framework with respect to the problem of anthropocentrism.
This paper reviews and examines Donald Hughes' book "North American Indian Ecology" which focuses on a wide range of ecological and environmental issues faced by Native American Indians in the 20th century.
Abstract This paper explores and details North American Indian life and culture as portrayed in Donald Hughes' book "North American Indian Ecology." This paper discusses the land issues facing the North American Indian tribes including overgrazing, erosion and assessments of appropriate land usage. The writer of this paper finds Hughes' book to be straightforward and concise in clarifying the characteristics of Indian life such as hunting, food growing and rituals.
From the Paper "Tribes are having to mediate the disparate demands of their members and the industrial mindset of the BIA to balance forest use for economic need and preservation for cultural need. Tribes face many of the same problems as non-Native communities held hostage by the timber industry. Replanting has not always kept pace with harvesting on public or trust lands. The push to harvest old-growth timber is constrained by federal mandates to protect endangered species habitats, putting people out of work. Few local communities gain the "value-added" benefits of processing their own timber especially jobs and new businesses and when they do the environmental impact of mill sites has to be factored into any cost-benefit analysis."
Abstract In this essay, the writer looks at the matter of restoring the natural balance of the landscape. The writer discusses Robert Elliot's apparent distaste for ecological restoration in close detail throughout the first portion of this paper. This article explores the circumstances in which restoration may be considered benevolent, through careful examination of Elliot's philosophy and that of Murray Krieger. The writer concludes that in the case of restoring the natural balance of the land, one is not attempting to profit from the restoration or create a fake situation, but rather restore the original version to its original grace and glory so it can be better appreciated.
From the Paper "Robert Elliot in his work "Faking Nature" rejects the idea that restoration ecology is useful in many instances. Elliot asserts that attempting to restore the natural ecology of the land is nothing more than an attempt to forge that which was once natural and beneficial. In this light restoring the natural ecology of the land seems nothing more than an attempt to fake that which is natural, which in and of itself promotes no intrinsic value.
Further Elliot asserts that one can not reproduce the value that original ecosystems had to offer. The field of environmental ethics proposes that the natural value of nature should be preserved rather than the value of nature purely for human purposes including survival or consumption. Under this assumption nature isn't necessarily valued by humans desiring to create artificial landscapes purely for humanistic benefits."
Abstract This paper examines Julian Steward's theory of cultural change, which is also referred to as cultural ecology. This is the theory that environment and culture exist in a dialectical relationship, at least with regard to resource use and production. The paper provides an overview of the theory, examples of the theory at work, and concludes with a critique of the theory's weaknesses.
From the Paper "Perhaps it is no more than a biological necessity to find order in the world that drives the human mind to develop all manner of theories by which seemingly unrelated events can be explained. Perhaps the drive is more cultural in nature. However, if that were the case, then proponents of Julian Steward's theory of cultural ecology would no doubt attempt to explain the drive as the result of a complex interaction between cultural and environmental factors. Whatever the case on that score, it is nonetheless apparent that in all academic disciplines there is a push to develop theoretical-methodological approaches to study that can explain the nature of the discipline and also provide avenues for further research. The cultural ecological perspective is one such approach that attempts to explain the origin and development of cultural elements to interactions and adaptations..."
Abstract This paper is an examination of how Daniel DeFoe's "Robinson Crusoe", in its entirety, acts as a conversion novel. It discusses how on the surface, it is a timeless story of adventure, the perseverance of man, and the conquering of lands unknown. On another, it more importantly deals with the spiritual transformation of a man from the secular world to that of the divine. It evaluates how the discovery of the footprint and Crusoe's reaction to it, solidifies his belief in God ? and therefore completes the spiritual metamorphosis that the novel in its entirety acts to convey.
From the Paper "This concept repeats itself later, after he has been stranded on the island for quite some time. After noticing that grain has began to grow on land that, upon first thought, had not been sowed, he states "I began to suggest that God had miraculously caused His grain to grow without any help of seed sown, and that it was so directed purely for my sustenance". That is, that the grain had been miraculously placed there by God for him in order to remain alive. However, his feelings of divine intervention are quite short lived. Upon reflection, he realizes that he had shaken out a bag that likely had corn kernels, and that the planting of the seeds was ultimately his own doing. After he takes notice of this fact, he remarks "my religious thankfulness to God's providence began to abate, too, upon the discovering that all this was nothing but what was common"."
Tags: close, conversion, religion, god, survivor, island
This paper compares Norwegian philosopher Arme Naess' ecology philosophy called "deep ecology" with Indian author Ramachandra Guha's ecological philosophy of "anthropocentrism".
Abstract This paper explains that Arme Naess' philosophy of "deep ecology" encourages respect for the environment, not because humans depend on nature, but because nature and its inhabitants have inherent value. The author points out that Ramachandra Guha's ecological philosophy of "anthropocentrism" declares that all environmental responsibility is derived from human interests alone, which challenges this "deep ecology" philosophy. The paper concludes that Ramachandra Guha, who alleges that "shallow ecology" is sufficient for providing a satisfactory ethic of obligation and concern for the non-human world, is not rational; rather the concept of "deep ecology" needs to be extended especially toward non-human individuals, wilderness areas and across time and species.
From the Paper "Assuming characteristically anthropocentric perspectives and values is a defect, we should, instead, assume a biocentric perspective. We should certainly abandon crude conceptions of human needs that equate them with the sort of needs that are satisfied by extravagant resource use. One of the problems with shallow ecology lies in anthropocentrism, specifically the fact that they are characteristically short-term, sectional, and self-regarding. Suppose that astronomers detect a modest asteroid on collision course with Earth. The impending collision would be perfectly natural. Such periodic disruptive events are natural, though they probably destroy most of the then extant large life forms. These times of renewal provide opportunities for smaller, flexible organisms to radiate opportunistically into vacated niches, and life goes on. There is little doubt that our demise would provide comparable opportunities for development that we currently prevent. Even then, we should step aside so that evolution can continue on its majestic course."
