Our Ecological Footprint: Reducing Human Impact on the Earth (New Catalyst Bioregional Series) (Paperback) [Paperback]

Williams E. Rees (Author), Mathis Wackernagel (Author), Phil Testemale (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1998

An excellent handbook for community activists, planners, teachers, students and policy makers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: New Society Publishers (July 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 086571312X
• ISBN-13: 978-0865713123
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.4 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #650,360 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A book that can change your life. September 29, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I have not only read this book but I have had the honour of hearing author William Rees explain the world's current environmental predicament. His analysis -- as stated in the book and by other readers-- is so simple yet profound. I believe the ecological footprint analysis tool offers one of the best ways to explain to people why they must change their lifestyles. I believe so much in the concept, I have started a business to help the corporate sector implement sustainable practices and policies. Our society probably has a better chance of survival if we can change the way influential companies do business, rather than changing one individual at a time. This book provides the basis for understanding why we must change. Then read Natural Capitalism by Hawken and Lovins and you'll understand how much progress has already been made and how much more is achievable.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Running Out of Room: Economists' Viewpoint October 13, 2004

By Erika Mitchell TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

This book is about the environmental costs that humans have on our planet, especially those humans living in developed countries. The authors contend that we are using up the resources of the planet at an astounding rate, such that little will be left for generations of the future. In other words, our present lifestyle is unsustainable. The authors argue that a measure of sustainability can be calculated by adding up the resources used by a group of people, and translating this to area on the earth, which yields roughly the total amount of land needed by the group to live sustainably, or their "ecological footprint". They point out that people in developed countries tend to have much larger ecological footprints than those in developing countries, but even amongst developed countries, there are large differences, and that Americans have huge ecological footprints compared to people from most other countries. In fact, in order for everyone on Earth to live as Americans do, it would require several additional planets to provide the resources and disposal space for waste.

The beginning chapters of the book define sustainability and the concept of ecological footprint. They also argue that our present practices are not sustainable. In the third chapter, we find the general idea of how an ecological footprint can be calculated, and the types of resources that need to be accounted for. The authors also run through a few examples of how footprints can be calculated on a nation by nation basis. They don't claim to have developed a conclusive method for calculating ecological footprints, especially on an individual basis, though they invite interested readers to do so on their own (there are numerous suggestions for how to do so on the Web). The last part of the book suggests some possible strategies for creating a more sustainable world. Endnotes citing sources appear following each chapter. There is a glossary, but no index. The book includes a number of black-and-white illustrations and cartoons.

The authors argue that "The strength of the Ecological Footprint analysis is its ability to communicate simply and graphically the general nature and magnitude of the biophysical `connectedness' between humankind and the ecosphere." They go on to comment "Ecological Footprint analysis can estimate the balance of trade in load-bearing capacity as embodied in the energy and material flows associated with trade goods and biogeochemical cycles." These ideas are interesting and hefty- -the text is somewhat theoretical and aimed towards those who are fascinated with macroeconomics. The style of writing is not for everyone, but there are some very valid points to mull over. For example, in a box discussing efficiency gains and sustainability, the authors point out that in the past, efficiency gains have led to more consumption rather than a decrease in resource usage, so we can't rely on efficiency gains as a solution to over-consumption.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for the right audience December 14, 2003

By merrymousies

Format:Paperback

This is an interesting book. I bought this originally as a gift for my aunt but upon receiving it I decided it was far too technical for her. Its a great book but you need to already have a basic understanding of and interest in sustainability. If you already have this basic understanding then this book is superb - it can help you take that basic understanding to the next level and not just in terms of understanding how local issues fit together but how global issues do. The authgors try in parts of the book to make this whole thing easy and fun but ultimately this is a pretty technical book - getting into things like the environmental impact of a person/community in Norway versus a person/community elsewhere in the world. Really interesting and definitely more complex than the online tools that you can use to measure your individual impact on the world but again, you need to really be interested in the subject of sustainability to enjoy this book. Lots of "meat" in here to chew on, now a quick read by any means.