Can Italy Succeed in the New Era of Biocapacity Constraints?
Dr. Mathis Wackernagel April 8, 2011 – Agende 21 Locali Italiane
Biocapacity Creditors and Biocapacity Debtors
Biocapacity Creditors and Biocapacity Debtors
Global Footprint--------------------------- = 1.5Global Biocapacity
Biocapacity Creditors and Biocapacity Debtors
Biocapacity:How much
bioproductive area is available to us?
Ecological Footprint:How much bioproductive
area do we demand?
Accounting Framework for Ecological Services
The Ecological Footprint
CARBON footprint
Biocapacity per person
Ecological Footprint
The Basic Equation
Amount per yearYield = -------------------------
Area
The Basic Equation
Amount per yearArea = -------------------------
Yield
Translate area from ha into global ha…
Components of the Footprint
Cropland
Fishing Grounds
Carbon Footprint
Grazing Land
Forest
Built Area
Humanity’s Ecological Footprint (1961 onwards)
Most of the carbon debate communicates about “global Tragedy of the commons“
Is this a useful perspective?
EITHER: ~ 2°C 450 ppm?
OR: 1700 ppm
Tragedy of the Commons? Yes, but…
X
350 ppm?
Ecological Footprint
Biocapacity per person
Italy
Italy’s Ecological Deficit
Italy’s relative GDP per capita (compared to World)
Ecological Footprint per person
Biocapacity per person
Deficit
ITALY
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
Cropland Grazing Land Forest Land FishingGrounds
CarbonUptake Land
Built-up Land
gh
a p
er
ca
pit
a
Food Housing
Mobility Goods
Services Government
GFC Other
2007
Ecological Creditors and Ecological Debtors in Europe Ecological Footprint and Biocapacity PER CAPITA,1961-2005
HU
DKATDE
ES
RO
SECH
IT
PT
NL
FR
PO
GR
RU
BE
FI
UK
IR
SK
CZ
BY
RS UA
Ecological Creditors and Ecological Debtors in Africa Ecological Footprint and Biocapacity PER CAPITA,1961-2005
MW
CGAOAlge.
CI
SD
ZMUG
ML
NE
MG
ET
MZ
KE
RW
BF
GH
ZA
MA
EG
NG
CM
TZ ZW
Preparing for resource constraints is in overwhelming self-interest of cities and countries. (much more so than for individuals or companies…)
The Ecological Footprint and biocapacity (per capita) of three countries from 1961-2005. A country runs
an
if its Footprint exceeds what its ecosystems can renew. The deficit is made up through net-imports, net-carbon emissions to the global atmosphere, or local resource degradation.
Switzerland
Ecological Footprint
Ecological Footprint
Biocapacity per person
Biocapacity per person
Uganda IranBiocapacity per person
Ecological Footprint
ecological deficit
Ecological Creditors and Ecological Debtors in MENA Ecological Footprint and Biocapacity PER CAPITA,1961-2006
Houston, you
have a problem..
we’re working on national govs
offical national gov Footprint studies
(2011)
WBCSDUNDPEP and ECUNEP Green Econ.SEEA (?)
Summary
• The planet has limits. Do you know how much biocapacity you have? and how much you use?
• Blindness costs lives & opportunities.
• Economic stability and competitiveness depends on managing eco-deficits