1st Edition

Sharing Nature's Interest Ecological Footprints as an Indicator of Sustainability

    206 Pages
    by Routledge

    208 Pages
    by Routledge

    Ecological footprinting is rapidly being adopted as an effective and practical way to measure our impact on the environment - in both large- and small-scale planning and development. This is an introduction to ecological footprint analysis, showing how it can be done, and how to measure the footprints of activities, lifestyles, organizations and regions. Case studies illustrate its effectiveness at national, organizational, individual and product levels.

    Introduction * Redefining Progress * Indicating Progress * Footprinting Foundations * Footprinting Fundamentals * From Activities to Impacts * Twenty Questions About Ecological Footprinting * Global and National Footprints * Regional Footprinting * Assessing the Impact of Organizations and Services * Footprinting for Product Assessment * Footprinting Lifestyles - How Big is Your Ecological Garden? * Next Steps * Annexe 1 - A Primer on Thermodynamics * Conversion Tables * Glossary * Index

    Biography

    Nicky Chambers and Craig Simmons are co-founders and directors of Best Foot Forward, a leading UK environmental consultancy. Mathis Wackernagel is a programme director of Redefining Progress in the US, coordinator of the Centre for Sustainability Studies in Mexico and co-author of Our Ecological Footprint.

    'An invaluable resource.' Sustain This book sets out the most important compass that society can have if we are to navigate the future.' Ed Mayo, Executive Director, New Economics Foundation 'It combines important advice for individual action backed by a dazzling display of science.' Tim Beaumont, Lord Beaumont of Whitley, Green Party Representative in the UK House of Lords 'This book should be read by every policymaker.' Paul Kingsnorth, Deputy Editor, The Ecologist 'Sharing Nature's Interest is a straightforward guide.' The European Sustainable Cities and Towns Campaign 'This book should be an essential reference for anyone seriously wondering how it is we begin to measure our impact on global sustainability and in particular for those of us that want to ensure sustainability is rooted in addressing our impact upon nature.' What on Earth Magazine 'An educational pearl of high value.' International Journal of Sustainable Development 'for those who like ideas, and are longing for terms to be found for serious intergovernmental debate on ecological justice, this is an encouraging read.' Green Christians