Blog Topic #3

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT


This map represents the countries with the largest ecological footprint. The ecological footprint is a measure of the area needed to support a population’s lifestyle. This includes the consumption of food, fuel, wood, and fibers. Pollution, such as carbon dioxide emissions, is also counted as part of the footprint. According to the cartogram, the United States, China, and India have the largest ecological footprints. Population must be taken into account. China and India lack resources and are below the world average for resource use. Their large populations are what cause both counties to have such large footprints. As for the United States, the per person footprint is five times the world average and is almost ten times what would be sustainable. Europe and Japan also have large ecological footprints and less developed countries appear to have relatively small footprints.

SPECIES EXTINCT


This cartogram shows the different locations where over 700 species that are extinct once existed. Included are mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and plants. The United States is the leader in recently recorded animals that have gone extinct. The U.S. is followed by the United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda and Mauritius. These places are far more exotic than the United States. Current extinction is occurring due to the widespread loss of habitats because of human activity. Natural habitats that remain have been degraded and are small and fragmented.