Ecological Footprint Calculator
Estimate your environmental impact in Global Hectares (gha)
Your Estimated Ecological Footprint:
0.00 global hectares (gha)
Understanding Your Ecological Footprint
An ecological footprint is a metric used to measure human demand on natural ecosystems. It compares the amount of nature we consume (biocapacity required) against the Earth's ability to regenerate those resources. This calculator uses Global Hectares (gha) as a standardized unit to represent the biologically productive area needed to support your current lifestyle.
How the Calculation Works
Our ecological footprint calculator utilizes established conversion factors to translate daily habits into land area. The calculation is divided into several key pillars:
- Food Consumption: Meat-based diets require significantly more land for grazing and crop production for feed compared to plant-based diets.
- Housing and Energy: Larger homes require more materials to build and more energy to heat or cool, contributing to a larger carbon footprint.
- Mobility: Carbon emissions from fossil fuel vehicles and air travel are converted into the amount of forest land required to sequester that CO2.
- Goods and Waste: Everything we buy has a "hidden" land cost for manufacturing and disposal.
Calculation Example
Imagine a "Low-Impact Consumer":
- Diet: Vegetarian (1.6 gha base)
- Electricity: 150 kWh/month (approx 0.3 gha)
- Car: 50 km/week (approx 0.15 gha)
- Flights: 2 hours/year (approx 0.1 gha)
- Waste: Minimal (0.2 gha)
Total Estimate: Approximately 2.35 gha. For comparison, the global average biocapacity is roughly 1.6 gha per person. If everyone lived this way, we would still need about 1.5 Earths.
Global Context and Biocapacity
The "Earth Overshoot Day" is the date when humanity's demand for ecological resources in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. Currently, humanity uses the equivalent of 1.75 Earths. By calculating your footprint, you can identify which areas of your life—be it travel, diet, or energy—have the highest impact and take steps to reduce them.
How to Reduce Your Footprint
Reducing your score involves shifting toward more sustainable choices. Significant reductions can be found by transitioning to renewable energy sources, reducing meat consumption (especially beef), choosing public transportation or cycling over driving, and minimizing air travel. Even small changes in waste management, such as composting and rigorous recycling, contribute to lowering your gha score.