Do you know what the ecological footprint is?

Surely you have heard of the ecological footprint. Everything we do leaves an imprint around us.

Browsing the Internet, each web page we visit or each photo we post on a social network leaves a digital footprint in our wake.

The same thing happens with the environment, each of our actions has an impact.

In today’s article we tell you what the ecological footprint is.

What is the ecological footprint?

The ecological footprint is the impact that each human being has on the planet.

It is also known as environmental footprint and is measurable.

For this, it is necessary to calculate the ecologically productive area necessary to re-produce the resources consumed by a person.

To this is added the necessary surface to absorb the waste generated by that same person.

The ecological footprint serves as an indicator to know the sustainability of human activities.

It is as if each one of us asks ourselves: how many crops, pastures or forests are necessary to cover my lifestyle?

Maybe we don’t give it the necessary importance, but each of our actions has a consequence.

From what we eat to what clothes we buy, including the means of transport we use.

Everything influences the footprint we leave on the planet.

The great importance of the ecological footprint

Expressing with numbers the impact that the different activities that people carry out have on the earth is a great means of raising awareness.

Being aware of the consequences that our way of life has on the environment invites us to reflect on our lifestyle.

In addition to understanding the environmental responsibility that each individual has.

By knowing first-hand the impact of our actions, it is easier for us to become aware and look for other alternatives to some aspects of our routine to minimize that footprint as much as possible.

How to calculate the ecological footprint?

To calculate our ecological footprint, these factors must be taken into account:

– The planet’s biocapacity, which is the planet’s capacity to generate resources.

– Human activity, which corresponds to the resources consumed and discarded by people.

There are calculators that, through a brief questionnaire, can indicate our ecological footprint.

You can try the Fundación Vida Sostenible Calculator.

How can we reduce our ecological footprint?

We can reduce our ecological footprint by putting into practice a series of actions in our day to day.

• Recycle and reuse as many materials as possible. For this, it is very important to correctly separate our waste and throw it into its corresponding containers.
• Use renewable energy sources.
• Reduce meat consumption.
• Use organic products
• Buy low-energy appliances.
• Use less polluting means of transport and walk whenever possible.
• Optimize the use of water and not waste it.

Doing our part we can try to return to the planet everything we are taking from it.

Put these tips into practice and minimize your ecological footprint. Together we can take care of the environment.