Ecological footprint
Summary information:
Age range:
8 – 13
Curriculum links:
Geography
Time needed:
20 – 40 minutes
Group size:
Whole class
Setting:
Classroom or similar
Key vocabulary:
Ecological footprint, area, relative to, compared, indication
Sustainable learning outcomes:
Pupils will:
- develop their own understanding of the concept of sustainability;
- understand that lifestyle choices have a range of consequences for the environment;
- understand the concept of ecological footprint.
Preparation:
Research ecological footprints using the following websites;
Environment Agency. Fun and Games
Global Footprints
Earth Day Network. My Footprint
Resources needed:
Internet access during preparation
Procedure:
*Remind pupils of their work to define sustainability. Develop that work by holding a whole class discussion, using these questions:
Why do we need to be able to measure our impact on the environment?
What is an ecological footprint?
What sorts of factors are measured? How?
- Introduce the task for this activity: To create a footprinting system using a standardised system of units agreed by the class. Discuss how they might do this. For example, the pupils might agree on a system using 3 units - 16 m2, 8m2 and 4m2.
- Pupils need to identify activities which contribute to the size of the footprint and decide on the relative impact of different types or levels of activity e.g.
Travel to school
Car | Bus | Walk or cycle |
16m2 | 8m2 | 4m2 |
The total footprint size could be calculated at different stages throughout the year or after specific areas of focus during the topic, e.g. packaging of packed lunches, foodmiles associated to grocery shopping, weight of daily classroom waste, saving water, energy saving.
- Ask each pupil to create a footprinting record that can be used to give the size of their own ecological footprint. Over time, pupils can reflect on the trends and features in their footprint size. They might share their ideas about reducing footprint size with a partner.
Extension:
Pupils could develop a footprinting system for their family, class or school.
Evaluation:
Ask pupils to write a journal entry:
This is what ecological footprint means for me ...
I am not sure about ...
I would like to find out more about ...