Our "ecological footprint" is a measurement of how much land and water it takes to produce the resources we use and absorb the waste that we make. This includes water we use, the energy we use to heat our homes, turn on our lights, drive our cars, types of food we eat, garbage we create, etc. A more complete definition can be found on the Global Footprint Network website.
Currently, all the people on this planet are using more resources than can be replaced. In fact, if everyone had similar lifestyles that we have in North America, we would need over three Earths to sustain us! You might be interested in comparing ecological footprints from around the world.
What is YOUR ecological footprint? Calculate your own footprint by filling out the questionnaire. After you have finished calculating your own footprint, bring your results to class and compare it with your classmates. Then find the average footprint for your class. Locate the average Canadian footprint. Is your class average smaller or larger?
How can you reduce your ecological footprint? What can you do as a class to reduce your footprint?
Note to teachers: This activity can be used for a math lesson in Data Management and Probability by having the class collect, graph and interpret their results. It would ideally be best for junior grades. Example: Gr. 6 expectations: collecting data by conducting a survey, organizing data, selecting appropriate graph to represent data, determining how well the set of data represents a population, drawing conclusions, comparing, using charts/tables, etc to make arguments.
This activity could also be used for cross-curricular connections with Science (Gr. 7 Interactions within Ecosystems and Gr. 5 Conservation of Energy) or Social Studies (Gr. 7 Natural Resources, Gr. 8 Patterns in Human Geography)
For a more simplistic activity for younger children, try the "Zero Footprint" calculator.
Currently, all the people on this planet are using more resources than can be replaced. In fact, if everyone had similar lifestyles that we have in North America, we would need over three Earths to sustain us! You might be interested in comparing ecological footprints from around the world.
What is YOUR ecological footprint? Calculate your own footprint by filling out the questionnaire. After you have finished calculating your own footprint, bring your results to class and compare it with your classmates. Then find the average footprint for your class. Locate the average Canadian footprint. Is your class average smaller or larger?
How can you reduce your ecological footprint? What can you do as a class to reduce your footprint?
Note to teachers: This activity can be used for a math lesson in Data Management and Probability by having the class collect, graph and interpret their results. It would ideally be best for junior grades. Example: Gr. 6 expectations: collecting data by conducting a survey, organizing data, selecting appropriate graph to represent data, determining how well the set of data represents a population, drawing conclusions, comparing, using charts/tables, etc to make arguments.
This activity could also be used for cross-curricular connections with Science (Gr. 7 Interactions within Ecosystems and Gr. 5 Conservation of Energy) or Social Studies (Gr. 7 Natural Resources, Gr. 8 Patterns in Human Geography)
For a more simplistic activity for younger children, try the "Zero Footprint" calculator.
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