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Why does our ecological footprint matter?

A photo of Mathis Wackernagel

Mathis Wackernagel

Executive Director of Global Footprint Network, Sustainability Expert

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About the video: ‘Why does our ecological footprint matter?’

In collaboration with Canadian William Rees, Mathis Wackernagel has pioneered and developed an ecological measurement called the Ecological Footprint. Here he describes the significance of footprint analysis, explaining that humanity’s ecological footprint is currently 20% greater than the carrying capacity of the Earth. This represents far more than that which can be regenerated by nature. In short, we are running an ecological deficit. Can we learn to balance our books?

Total views: 9,759

Filmed: Johannesburg, South Africa on 1 September 2002

Credits: Interviewer - Michael O'Callaghan Camera - Michael O'Callaghan Editor - Marcus Morrell

Copyright © 2002 Global Vision Consulting Ltd

About Mathis Wackernagel

Mathis Wackernagel is a world leader in ecological footprint analysis and is the Executive Director of Global Footprint Network.
He has worked on sustainability issues for organizations in Europe, Latin America, North America, Asia and Australia. Wackernagel previously served as the director of the Sustainability Program at Redefining Progress in Oakland, California, and directed the Centre for Sustainability Studies / Centro de Estudios para la Sustentabilidad in Mexico.

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