My ecological footprint is 3.7 global hectares and my personal earth overshoot day is 17 June.

If
everyone lived like me, we would need 2.2 earths. This is above the 1.9 global hectares above what is
should be, this would mean that I am unsustainable.
http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/calculators/

PART A

The Ecological Footprint is a measure of environmental sustainability. 1.8 hectares is what is considered
as being sustainable therefore a footprint greater than 1.8 ha is considered being unsustainable. In
terms of the Brundtland definition of sustainable development, I am in the group that is meeting the
present needs of the people but is compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Not only am I shocked by this revelation but I am also embarrassed. I am shocked that even though I
thought I was living rather sustainably, my ecological footprint is so large. I feel guilty that the manner in
which I live could affect others negatively.

PART B

On assignment 6, I said that I take action because polar bears are essential to the stability and viability of
the Arctic ecosystem. Additionally, polar bears benefit the tourism industry, which supports local
economies in Arctic locations. We run the danger of disturbing the delicate ecological balance and losing
the benefits that polar bears provide by prioritizing human needs over their rights. Respecting the rights
and wellbeing of polar bears is necessary for both the long-term sustainability of our world and the
preservation of the Arctic ecosystem, in addition to being morally correct. I still stand with my answer
because the polar bears also deserve to live just like any other animal.

PART C

“It's all in the outcome - Consequentialism”

In assignment 3 I chose option E. “It is morally unacceptable for a single child to die of a preventable
disease and we should collectively fix this irrespective of the cost.” This was my personal emotional
response to the horrific idea of so many innocent children dying. However from a utilitarian approach a
large number of people dying every day might be more beneficial to the rest of the population in terms
of sustainability. Utilitarianism holds that any action is judged as good if the act maximizes the total
amount of good in the system. Hence if the number of people on the planet were to be reduced
everyone could carry on consuming at the present footprint levels and we would be able to do so
sustainably.

“Fair’s Fair - Distributive Justice”

When applying Rawls’ principles we can see the value in living sustainably. According to his first and
most important principle everyone is to have equal non-negotiable basic human rights. This applies to
our future generations as well. If we fail to live sustainably now, at our current consumption rate we will
soon run out of space and resources. This will hinder the living conditions of future generations and will
affect their rights to basic things like food, water and space. The only way to prevent this would to start
living more sustainable lives and to be more considerate.

“Greenies - Environmental Ethics”

Whether you hold an anthropocentric view or hold it is safe to agree that nature holds tremendous
value to humans be it instrumental or merely intrinsic. The fact of the matter is that we would not be
able to live without the resources nature provides us with. From an instrumental standpoint it is
extremely important for us to start living more sustainably and start persevering nature because before
long Earth will run out of space and resources and will no longer be able to support human life. Although
this may seem a bit dramatic it is unfortunately the future we face if drastic action is not taken.

REFERENCES

http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/calculators/

https://mymodules.unisa.ac.za/portal/site/SUS1501-20-S2-26T/tool/3756c7fa-9642-478c-890a-

69a337bb1d46/ShowPage?
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SUS1501 study guide