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ENV200H1S Tutorial # 2 – Fair Share of Resources
INTRODUCTION
Our escalating consumption of natural resources and services directly impacts our planet. The
challenge for long-term sustainability is to ensure that our consumptive patterns stay within the
biological capacity of the biosphere. But how do we know if we are within that constraint? This
tutorial is designed to help you determine your personal impact on the environment. To further
explore the question of fair share of resources, you will be asked to provide an assessment of
which is the most feasible approach to achieve the goals of sustainable development to lift the
majority of the world’s citizens to a more equitable share of resources while ensuring we do not
exceed the Earth’s biocapacity.
Ecological Footprint
The Ecological Footprint concept was designed to assess the human impact on nature. The
approach attempts to measure how much of natures’ resources we use simply to sustain our
lifestyle. Ecological footprint calculations are based on two fairly easy to understand premises:
1) Can we keep track of most of the resources we consume and the wastes we generate? 2) Can
we convert resource consumption and waste flows into the area of biologically productive space
required to deal with these flows? Thus, the Ecological Footprint of any defined population
(from a single individual to a whole city or country) is the area of biologically productive land
and water exclusively required to produce the resources consumed and assimilate the wastes
generated by that population, using prevailing technology. As people use resources from all over
the world and affect far away places with their wastes, footprints sum up these ecological areas
from wherever that land and water may be located on the planet.
Biological Capacity
In its simplest definition, biological capacity or biocapacity refers to the capacity of a given
biologically productive area to generate an on-going supply of renewable resources and to absorb
its wastes.
However, the actual calculation of the biocapacity of an area is a bit more complicated. It is
usually calculated by multiplying the actual physical area by the yield factor of the particular
land type and the appropriate equivalence factor. The yield factor accounts for variances
between countries in the productivity of the different land types. For example, in 2005, German
cropland was 2.3 times more productive than the world average. The equivalence factor is a
productivity-based scaling factor that converts a specific land type (such as cropland or forest)
into a universal unit of biologically productive area called a “global hectare” (gha). For
example, to convert an average hectare of cropland to global hectares, it is multiplied by the
cropland equivalence factor of 2.64. Pasture lands, which have lower productivity than cropland,
have an equivalence factor of 0.5
Therefore, using our German example from above, a hectare of German cropland is converted to
global hectares by multiplying that cropland by a yield factor of 2.3, multiplied by the cropland
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equivalence factor of 2.6 which results in: one German hectare of cropland is equal to 6.0 global
hectares (gha).
Unsustainability occurs if the area’s ecological footprint exceeds its biocapacity.
Other Species
Since we humans are not alone on this planet, we can see that complications will arise if we use
all the available land and water for our own purposes leaving nothing for other species. The
Planet’s natural systems and cycles (hydrologic, carbon, etc.) are unlikely to continue to function
(thus keeping us alive) in the absence of the perhaps 30 million other species comprising Earth’s
ecosystems. Most of them are already excluded from spaces intensively occupied by human
activities. Is it difficult to accept that our survival depends on other species? How do we figure
out how much is necessary to secure an ecologically stable world? To what extent does fairness
to other species enter the picture?
Humanity already consumes 40% more than what nature can regenerate (hence we are eating up
the globe’s natural capital). If you do the math, there is something like 2 hectares available if all
humans were to share resources equitably and still stay within Earth’s carrying capacity. As you
will see, 2 hectares would be a substantial reduction in resource use for affluent North
Americans. Therefore, the sustainability challenge is: “What changes can we make that will still
allow us to live a fulfilling life, yet consume something less than 2 hectares per person?” This is
probably the most significant question facing us, whether at school, in business and in our
everyday lives!
Moving toward sustainability
Based on the course material to date, there are a variety of variables we can consider to achieve
our sustainability goals. We can strive to have more equitable ecological footprints, where
some of us will have to reduce significantly so that others can benefit from a more equitable
share of resources; we can increase biocapacity, or we can consider reducing population
growth rates and sizes.
In this tutorial, you will be asked to calculate your personal ecological footprint, review and
compare your footprint to others to determine whether it is feasible to make meaningful
reductions. And finally, to present an analysis of whether we can move towards sustainability by
realistically altering any or all of the three variables discussed above.
Tutorial Objectives:
To estimate your Ecological Footprint: the amount of productive land necessary to supply
the components of your present lifestyle.
To explore elements of your lifestyle that you could change in order to reduce your
footprint.
To address whether it is possible to manage a fair share of resources for all of humanity
without compromising the planet’s carrying capacity, by evaluating the feasibility of
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making changes to the three variables introduced: ecological footprint, biocapacity,
population.
Tutorial Assignment:
Due: Sun Feb 13th, 2022, submit through assignment link on Quercus
Calculate your ecological footprint using the calculator found at the following website,
and attach the results page with your Tutorial #2 assignment submission (you may
need to screen capture the results page):
http://www.footprintcalculator.org/
Whenever presented with the option, chose “Add details to improve accuracy”
(usually on the bottom) since it will provide more accurate answers, then follow
the instructions to determine your ecological footprint
Respond to the questions to the best of your knowledge:
choose 25% when prompted to identify the proportion of renewable
energy in the electricity mix
Review the table of ecological footprints and biocapacity calculated from 2007 data (the
most recent year in which source data was available) in the file titled “Tutorial 2 national
eco footprints 2010.xlsx” in the Tutorial #2 link in the Tutorial module on the course
page on Quercus. In particular, review columns: Ecological Footprint of Consumption,
Total Biocapacity, and Ecological (Deficit) or Reserve. Row 9 of the table summarizes
that the World Ecological Footprint of Consumption is 2.7, while the Total Biocapacity is
1.8, leaving the global community with an ecological deficit of 0.9!
Incorporating as much relevant data from your ecological footprint exercise, tutorial
resources provided, and your own independent research, present an analysis of not more
than 1000 words, on whether you think sustainable development with a more equitable
distribution of Earth’s resources is achievable and which of the variables or combination
of variables will be the most feasible approach to achieving this goal. You should ensure
to provide a critical assessment of the feasibility of each of these three variables within
your response:
• Altering individual ecological footprints
• Increasing Earth’s biocapacity
• Changing world population
Your assessment should be written in an essay format with an introduction, body and
conclusion, in full sentences with paragraphs.
Within your assignment you should:
Use APA in-text citation method as appropriate, and for formatting the references
used in your Reference List.
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Incorporate additional research as appropriate since there is an abundance of
interest and sources on this topic.
Provide any calculations or citations you use in support of your statements.
Attach the results from your ecological footprint calculation to the end of your
assignment submission.
Grading Rubric for Tutorial Assignments
Each assignment will be graded based on 5 major criteria:
Purpose:
Clearly present your “thesis” and arguments.
Development of Ideas:
Arguments/main points are backed up by examples, citations, etc., and they are explained
effectively.
Logic and Organization:
Ideas are developed through an introduction, body and conclusion.
Clarity:
Words and sentences are used effectively, particularly technical/scientific terms. Sentence
structure is clear and succinct (no incomplete or run-on sentences).
Spelling/Proofreading:
Writing is error-free in terms of spelling/grammar.
Submission of assignments:
We will be using a plagiarism detection program within the online assignment function in
Quercus for submission of the written assignments in this course. Normally, students will be
required to submit their course essays to the University’s plagiarism detection tool website for a
review of textual similarity and detection of possible plagiarism. In doing so, students will allow
their material to be included as source documents in the University’s plagiarism detection tool
reference database, where they will be used solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism. The
terms that apply to the University’s use of the University’s plagiarism detection tool service are
described on the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation web site (https://uoft.me/pdt-faq).
If a student does not wish to submit to the online plagiarism tool, the student MUST advise the
head TA immediately as alternate arrangements for screening the assignment must be arranged.
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To avoid late penalties, assignments must be submitted to the Quercus Assignment function
before midnight on the posted due date.
When submitting your assignment on Quercus, the file should be saved in a single file, with an
extension of .doc, .docx, .rtf, or .pdf. The title of your file should follow the format:
“LastnameFirstname*.doc”
In formatting your assignment it should:
Include the following information on the front page: the assignment title (feel free to be
creative, but representative), the course title and number, the instructor’s name, the TA’s
name, your name and student number
Late penalties
The late penalty on all assignments will be 2.5% of the assignment grade per day late, including
weekends and will only be waived with the Absence Declaration Tool on ACORN.
Please note the declaration must cover the period of time you missed, e.g. the week before the
assignment/essay is due, etc.
Requests for extensions or queries about assignment should be sent no later than Friday @ 5pm
before the due date on Sunday.
Assignments will NOT be accepted one week past the due date even if accompanied by an
absence declaration form unless prior approval has been obtained from your TA, the head TA, or
the course instructor.
Academic Integrity
The following is taken from the Faculty of Arts and Science Academic Integrity website
(http://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/osai/students):
Academic integrity is fundamental to learning and scholarship at the University of Toronto.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in this academic community ensures
that the U of T degree that you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual
academic achievement, and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
Familiarize yourself with the University of Toronto’s Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters
(http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/policies/behaveac.htm). It is the rule book for
academic behaviour at the U of T, and you are expected to know the rules. Potential offences
include, but are not limited to:
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In papers and assignments:
Using someone else’s ideas or words without appropriate acknowledgement.
Copying material word-for-word from a source (including lecture and study
group notes) and not placing the words within quotation marks.
Submitting your own work in more than one course without the permission of
the instructor.
Making up sources or facts.
Including references to sources that you did not use.
Obtaining or providing unauthorized assistance on any assignment including
o working in groups on assignments that are supposed to be individual work,
o having someone rewrite or add material to your work while “editing”.
Lending your work to a classmate who submits it as his/her own without your
permission.
On tests and exams:
Using or possessing any unauthorized aid, including a cell phone.
Looking at someone else’s answers
Letting someone else look at your answers.
Misrepresenting your identity.
Submitting an altered test for re-grading.
Misrepresentation:
Falsifying or altering any documentation required by the University, including
doctor’s notes.
Falsifying institutional documents or grades.
The University of Toronto treats cases of academic misconduct very seriously. All suspected
cases of academic dishonesty will be investigated following the procedures outlined in the Code.
The consequences for academic misconduct can be severe, including a failure in the course and a
notation on your transcript. If you have any questions about what is or is not permitted in this
course, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you have questions about appropriate research and
citation methods, seek out additional information from me, or from other available campus
resources like the U of T Writing Website. If you are experiencing personal challenges that are
having an impact on your academic work, please speak to me or seek the advice of your college
registrar.
See also the handout “How Not to Plagiarize,” Margaret Proctor, 2009, available online at
http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/using-sources/how-not-to-plagiarize