Since no substance disappears in nature, every action and activity leaves a trace. The pressure of humans on nature and the natural space capacity they use is symbolized by the concept of footprint.

Carbon footprint: It is the calculation of the total amount of all greenhouse gases caused by global warming that spread into the atmosphere through our activities and consumption in daily life. Many factors, including transportation, heating, and electricity, have an impact on carbon footprint formation. In order to reduce global warming, we need to reduce our carbon footprint.

Ecological footprint: It is the calculation of how much of the biological capacity (soil, water, infrastructure, vegetation, etc.) we consume to provide the resources we use to measure our impact on the world and to reduce the negative impact we create.

Calculation results showing how much of the natural resources are used, such as the amount of free carbon per person, waste left, water consumed, and amount of land used for food production, are obtained in numbers.

For example, it is the calculation of the consumption needs of a person who consumes one bread a day, such as how many breads he consumes in a year, how much grain and water he spends to obtain this bread, and how much agricultural land is needed.

Even if the average daily consumption of a person or family is a very small amount, these figures will grow when calculated weekly, monthly, or annually.

A study conducted by the Global Footprint Network in 2014 found humanity’s total ecological footprint to be worth 1.7 Earths. This means that humanity’s consumption rate is 1.7 times faster than the Earth’s self-renewal rate.

How can we reduce the ecological footprint?

  • We can increase clean energy production and minimize fossil fuel use. 
  • We can use electric vehicles. 
  • We can prevent the degradation of wetlands. 
  • We can reduce our waste. 
  • We can choose recycled products. 
  • We can use green and clean energy sources in cities.

Let’s approximately calculate the ecological footprint of a person.

  1. My diet includes meat.
  2. I am a vegetarian.
  3. I do not consume any animal products (e.g., dairy products).
  4. I eat meat or fish more than once a day.
  5. I eat meat or fish once a day.
  6. I eat meat or fish several times a week.
  7. I only eat meat or fish once a week.
  8. I eat meat or fish less than three times a month.
  9. I always buy organic meat, vegetables, and dairy products.
  10. I mostly buy organic meat, vegetables, and dairy products.
  11. I sometimes buy organic meat, vegetables, and dairy products.
  12. I never buy organic meat, vegetables, and dairy products.
  13. I always prefer the organic products I consume that are produced in the region where I live.
  14. I often prefer the organic products I consume to those produced in the region where I live.
  15. I sometimes prefer the organic products I consume to those produced in the region where I live.
  16. I never prefer the organic products I consume to those produced in the region where I live.
  17. I don’t get around by car or motorcycle.
  18. I get around by motorcycle.
  19. I get around by car.
  20. I do not use public transportation.
  21. I spend less than 2 hours a week on public transportation.
  22. I spend 2-5 hours a week on public transportation.
  23. I spent less than 3 hours on my domestic and international personal air travels last year.
  24. I spent more than 15 hours on my domestic and international personal air travel in the last year.

This person’s ecological footprint is 4.6 global hectares (kha). If this value were the ecological footprint of all people, one Earth would not be enough for people, and 2.3 Earths would be needed. This means that people’s consumption rate is 2.3 times faster than nature’s self-renewal rate.