There are two parts to the assignment. Part A provides you with the opportunity to become familiar with basic concepts associated with ecological footprints and sustainability. In Part B, you will defend your decision as to whether the statement relating to sustainability is true or false and explain your decision based on your independent research.
By completing the assignment, you will:
- demonstrate critical evaluation of lifestyle choices, sustainability as well as global and national trends;
- understand and describe concepts of sustainability and evaluate Canada’s efforts in achieving sustainable development; and
- understand and appreciate your role in contributing to environmental impact and lifestyle choices that offer remedies to this.
Your assignment should include your name and student number, be a maximum of 5 pages, and it MUST include in-text citations as well as a reference list at the end of your assignment. You can use paragraphs/full sentences or point form to answer each question. Remember that the assignment is worth a significant value and therefore you will be evaluated on the completeness of your answers. You should therefore spend time to ensure that you’ve provided a complete and robust answer, and include at least 5 references based on your own independent research. (The websites listed in the assignment, and on-line class notes do not contribute to these 5 references).
Note that scientific style in writing does not include quotations. You must summarize technical information in your own words.
Useful websites as a starting point to your research (but note that these cannot contribute to your 5 independently sourced references):
- Canada Sustainability Indicators – https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-indicators/about-sustainability.html
- Global Footprint Network – https://www.footprintnetwork.org/
- Sustainable Development Goals – https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
- The Environmental Impacts of Over-Population – https://www.thebalancesmb.com/how-overpopulation-impacts-the-environment-4172964
- Some videos
- Mathis Wackernagel – Natural capital and ecological footprint – https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=425&v=5ZnGYDlYKdY&feature=emb_logo
- BC Youth Voices on Making a Sustainable Canada – https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=31&v=r_1d797S2fI&feature=emb_logo
- Do We Fit our Planet? – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_aguo7V0Q4
Part A. Definitions and Trends
- Defineeach of the following concepts and describe how it applies to our understanding of renewable resource management (8 marks):
- Ecological Footprint and Biocapacity;
- Human Development Index; and
- Sustainable Development and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
- Find on-line calculators that you can use to determine your ecological, water, and carbon footprints. With this information make evaluations and comparisons of your results with (6marks):
- Canadian trends (e.g., are you like other Canadians?)
- Global trends (e.g, Canada vs. other developed nations; Canada vs. developing nations); and
- Changes observed over time (e.g., historical vs. current trends in these calculators)
- Based on the above calculators and your observations by making comparisons, what do you feel are logical and significant changes you need to make to ensure your lifestyle choices are more sustainable? Be sure to speak about the key components of the ecological footprint: built up land, marine resources, agriculture (crop, pastoral), forests, and carbon. (6marks)
Part B. Has Canada achieved sustainability?
- Do you believe that Canada has achieved sustainability? (Yes or no; 1 mark). Defend your answerbased on your research and findings. Please note that you will be evaluated on the completeness of your answer and your justification based on the research you’ve done and the references you provide. (19 marks)
