Assessing Ecological Footprint and Identifying Changes

Part 1 – Personal Ecological Footprint

Learning Outcomes
• Assess individual ecological footprint and identify if reductions can or should be made
• Identify if there is a difference between the impact during daily lifestyle and the impact a traveller may have
• Reflect on individual position/ stance towards environmental responsibility and management
Assignment requirements
Part 1 – Personal Ecological Footprint (max. 1 page plus your results on separate page)
1. Use the Ecological Footprint Calculator found at: https://www.footprintcalculator.org*Be sure to use the “add details” section for each question to get the most accurate results
2. Copy and Paste your results into your assignment including the information about your land type, consumption category, and your footprint totals
3. Based on your results answer the following questions:
a. What are your initial thoughts about your results? Were you impressed, or disappointed? Driven to change? Or accepting of your position on the scale?
b. What areas of your footprint have the largest impact? And what habits/choices in the quiz do you think contribute to this category being high?
c. What areas had the smallest impacts? Why do you think this is?
d. Personal choices are able to have big impacts on our ecological footprint. Identify three specific changes you could make in your life today to lower your footprint
e. What barriers exist to you personally making changes?
Part 2 – Traveller Ecological Footprint (max 1 page plus results on separate page)
Consider this scenario. Imagine you are on vacation visiting a beach resort in Mexico. You will be staying here for two weeks and enjoying all the resort has to offer.
1. Repeat the Ecological Footprint Calculator at the link above.
a. Use the above scenario, as best you can. For the questions you can’t answer use the rating you used in your first calculation.
2. Copy and Paste your results into your assignment including the information about your land type, consumption category, and your footprint totals
3. Write a paragraph reflecting on the results from the your travel scenario.
a. Was it higher or lower than you expected?
b. Were you pleased or displeased?
4. Write a paragraph reflecting on the difference between the first and second calculator.
a. Was there a significant difference? If so, why where were the differences?
b. Why is it that your results differed? Or why didn’t they?
c. Could you change anything the next time you travel?
Part 3 – Reflection on your Environmental Connection
In the first few units of this course we read some environmental theories that strongly raised the discussion of individual versus community decision making or management. Do we make choices based on our personal situation and purpose? Or are our choices and actions based on a responsibility for the greater community. For Part 3 students are asked to reflect on your own personal connection to environmental sustainability. Drawing from concepts in The Land Ethic and The Tragedy of the Commons, what are your views in regard to environmental responsibility? Is this something individuals (landowners/ you) have an obligation or responsibility to become a caretaker for? Or is this outside your control and in the hands of government completely? How does this shape your own lifestyle and views?
Assessment Criteria
• Professional layout for academic assignment
• Completeness and depth to your responses
• Adherence to assignment instructions
• Citation of any material sources used in reflection (if any)
• Submitte