Presentation of Ecological Footprint Information: A Re-examination

In a short span of two decades, the ecological footprint concept as a framework for impact assessment and sustainability planning through the focus on earthly “capital” limits in the form of land resources has grown in popularity. A unique selling point of the concept is its focus on physical limits, thereby making it an “area-based analogue” of other popular impact assessment methodologies. In this chapter, a critical re-examination of the presentation of ecological footprint information is attempted with reference to past studies. In particular, the aspect of “spatiality” and “visualization” of the ecological footprint is explored by juxtaposing popular presentation techniques with the original goals of ecological footprint analysis. The result of the discussion is an identification of several shortcomings inherent in presentation techniques in ecological footprint literature and a subsequent suggestion of a standardized, spatial presentation technique that is in-line with present trajectories in the field of study. The ultimate aim of this chapter is to allow the various manifestations of ecological consumptions to be “mapped” in a comparable and meaningful manner (and traced dynamically), with a degree of flexibility among the different approaches to ecological footprint analysis.

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