Physics in Canada / La Physique au Canada - 2010 (66.3)

Ecological Footprint

Author(s)
Frank Weichman
Institution
Physics Dep't, University of Alberta

I have read statements in the popular literature that our current lifestyle requires the renewable resources of two or more earths.  Does that make any sense at all, or is it just the blatherings of eco-freaks?

It turns out that estimates like the above are derived from a concept called the ecological footprint.  So, what is it and does it make sense?