Approaches to Long-Term Global Sustainability Ecological, Carbon, and Water Footprints

Human activities, industrial activities, production processes, transportation, disposal systems, and every product or service that humans consume has an impact on ecological systems. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the intensive use of coal-based energy has impacted climates and contributed to global warming and rises in the sea levels. The extensive use of water resources through industrial activities and consumption patterns has compromised the water resources. The concept of an ecological footprint is rooted in measuring how the human appropriation of the earth’s resources relates to the carrying capacity of the earth. Prediction, forecasting, and projection, each with its own methods and outcomes, are common elements of ecological assessment approaches. Footprinting is another approach to estimating human impact on the climate, water resources, and ecosystem changes. The term footprint has been effectively used to design assessment frameworks and develop management strategies for addressing ecological impacts for which individuals, organizations, and nations are responsible. For example, the full carbon footprint encompasses a wide range of emission sources from the direct use of fuels to indirect impacts that can be attributed to an organization’s disposition and practice.