1. What is the WWF Ecological Footprint?

The WWF Ecological Footprint measures how much nature we have and how much we use. It compares human demand on nature (consumption) against nature's capacity to regenerate (biocapacity).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Ecological Footprint equation:

Where:

• \( Consumption \) — Human demand on nature (various units)
• \( Biocapacity \) — Nature's capacity to regenerate (gha)

Explanation: The equation shows the ratio between human consumption and Earth's ability to regenerate those resources.

3. Importance of Footprint Calculation

Details: Understanding ecological footprint helps assess sustainability, track resource use patterns, and inform policy decisions for environmental conservation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter consumption in appropriate units and biocapacity in global hectares (gha). Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a global hectare (gha)?
A: A global hectare is a productivity-weighted area used to report both biocapacity and Ecological Footprint.

Q2: What are typical footprint values?
A: The global average is about 2.7 gha per person, but varies greatly between countries and lifestyles.

Q3: How is biocapacity calculated?
A: Biocapacity is calculated based on the productivity of land and sea areas, including cropland, grazing land, forest land, fishing grounds, and built-up land.

Q4: What does it mean if footprint > biocapacity?
A: This indicates ecological overshoot, where demand exceeds regeneration capacity, leading to resource depletion.

Q5: How can I reduce my ecological footprint?
A: Reducing consumption, choosing sustainable products, eating less meat, using renewable energy, and minimizing waste can help reduce footprint.