GGH3708 SEMESTER 2 2024
Assignment 2: What is your Ecological Footprint?
List how many earths would be required to support your current lifestyle.
How does your ecological footprint (based on the number of Earths) compare to the five
countries listed on the website (Hint: click on the information symbol next to your
calculated number of earths.
1. Describe the details of your ecological footprint. (Hint: click on the See Details arrow)
in terms of:
• Footprint by land type
• Footprint by consumption category
• Your Ecological footprint (global hectares or gha)
• Your carbon footprint (CO2 emissions in tonnes per year)
• Your carbon footprint as a % of your Ecological Footprint
• Describe three solutions you could use to reduce your ecological footprint (Hint:
click on Explore solutions).
2. Once you have presented this information, you need to discuss which types of
countries (developing or developed) use the most resources?
3. Where do the countries of Africa, in general, and South Africa, as a country in
comparison to other African countries, feature in this regard?
4. Discuss how your ecological footprint may change as a result of the impacts of
climate change.
5. Using the video 'Story of Stuff' for context, explain how a consumption culture affects
your ecological footprint and what can be done to change the consumption culture.
To access the relevant Discussion Forum topic click on 'Discussions' on your group site,
then open the Discussion Forum for '4. The Environment, Climate Change and Resource
Use' and finally open the Discussion Forum topic entitled 'Assignment 2: What is your
Ecological Footprint?'.
Root path:
Discussions > 4. Globalisation, the Environment and Climate Change > Assignment 2:
What is your Ecological Footprint?
Assignment 2: What is your Ecological Footprint?
, 1. Ecological Footprint Summary
- Number of Earths Required: After calculating my ecological footprint
using the provided link, it was determined that my lifestyle requires
approximately 3.5 Earths to sustain itself.
- Comparison to Selected Countries: In comparison to the ecological
footprints of various countries listed on the website, the average
footprint for countries like the United States is around 4.5 Earths, while
countries like India require about 1.2 Earths. My footprint is higher than
that of India but lower than that of the United States.
Details of My Ecological Footprint:
- Footprint by Land Type:
- Carbon Footprint: 2.2 gha
- Food: 1.5 gha
- Housing: 1.0 gha
- Goods: 0.7 gha
-Services: 0.4 gha
- Footprint by Consumption Category:
- The majority of my ecological footprint is attributed to my carbon
emissions and food consumption.
- Total Ecological Footprint: Overall ecological footprint is
approximately 5.8 global hectares (gha).
- Carbon Footprint: My carbon emissions amount to approximately 8
tonnes of CO2 per year.
- Carbon Footprint as % of Ecological Footprint**: Carbon emissions
account for approximately 38%of my total ecological footprint.
Three Solutions to Reduce My Ecological Footprint:
1. Reduce Car Usage: Opting for public transportation, biking, or
walking instead of driving.
2. Monitor Energy Usage: Implementing energy-saving practices at
home, such as using LED bulbs and energy-efficient appliances.
3. Adopting a Plant-Based Die: Shifting towards a more plant-based
diet to lower food-related emissions and land use.
Assignment 2: What is your Ecological Footprint?
List how many earths would be required to support your current lifestyle.
How does your ecological footprint (based on the number of Earths) compare to the five
countries listed on the website (Hint: click on the information symbol next to your
calculated number of earths.
1. Describe the details of your ecological footprint. (Hint: click on the See Details arrow)
in terms of:
• Footprint by land type
• Footprint by consumption category
• Your Ecological footprint (global hectares or gha)
• Your carbon footprint (CO2 emissions in tonnes per year)
• Your carbon footprint as a % of your Ecological Footprint
• Describe three solutions you could use to reduce your ecological footprint (Hint:
click on Explore solutions).
2. Once you have presented this information, you need to discuss which types of
countries (developing or developed) use the most resources?
3. Where do the countries of Africa, in general, and South Africa, as a country in
comparison to other African countries, feature in this regard?
4. Discuss how your ecological footprint may change as a result of the impacts of
climate change.
5. Using the video 'Story of Stuff' for context, explain how a consumption culture affects
your ecological footprint and what can be done to change the consumption culture.
To access the relevant Discussion Forum topic click on 'Discussions' on your group site,
then open the Discussion Forum for '4. The Environment, Climate Change and Resource
Use' and finally open the Discussion Forum topic entitled 'Assignment 2: What is your
Ecological Footprint?'.
Root path:
Discussions > 4. Globalisation, the Environment and Climate Change > Assignment 2:
What is your Ecological Footprint?
Assignment 2: What is your Ecological Footprint?
, 1. Ecological Footprint Summary
- Number of Earths Required: After calculating my ecological footprint
using the provided link, it was determined that my lifestyle requires
approximately 3.5 Earths to sustain itself.
- Comparison to Selected Countries: In comparison to the ecological
footprints of various countries listed on the website, the average
footprint for countries like the United States is around 4.5 Earths, while
countries like India require about 1.2 Earths. My footprint is higher than
that of India but lower than that of the United States.
Details of My Ecological Footprint:
- Footprint by Land Type:
- Carbon Footprint: 2.2 gha
- Food: 1.5 gha
- Housing: 1.0 gha
- Goods: 0.7 gha
-Services: 0.4 gha
- Footprint by Consumption Category:
- The majority of my ecological footprint is attributed to my carbon
emissions and food consumption.
- Total Ecological Footprint: Overall ecological footprint is
approximately 5.8 global hectares (gha).
- Carbon Footprint: My carbon emissions amount to approximately 8
tonnes of CO2 per year.
- Carbon Footprint as % of Ecological Footprint**: Carbon emissions
account for approximately 38%of my total ecological footprint.
Three Solutions to Reduce My Ecological Footprint:
1. Reduce Car Usage: Opting for public transportation, biking, or
walking instead of driving.
2. Monitor Energy Usage: Implementing energy-saving practices at
home, such as using LED bulbs and energy-efficient appliances.
3. Adopting a Plant-Based Die: Shifting towards a more plant-based
diet to lower food-related emissions and land use.
