We all leave traces – in the lives of our fellow human beings and on the planet. The latter in particular is unavoidable and, in most cases, detrimental to our environment. Every individual consumes resources and thus has an impact. One measure of consumption and lifestyle, including its impact on nature and the like, is the ecological footprint. In times of increasing global warming and changing ecosystems, it is all the more important to understand and question the aspects of our footprint and to adapt our behaviour accordingly.
What is meant by ecological footprint?
The term ‘ecological footprint’ originates from environmental policy. It uses the symbolism of leaving a trace to measure the amount of land consumed by each individual's consumption. It can refer to a person, but also to a company or even an entire country. Both the production and disposal of the things that are consumed are included in the land measurement. If someone eats meat, the grazing land of the animals consumed is also taken into account. If something is made of wood, the trees and their forest area are counted. The calculation therefore includes arable land, forest and marine areas as well as pasture land. In addition, biocapacity is also taken into account.
Why ecological footprint and biocapacity are important
The Earth's biocapacity means that not all resources are renewable and some are irretrievably lost once consumed. Various figures prove that this is by no means an exception. This becomes particularly dramatic on Earth Overshoot Day. Every year, this day reveals when the resources that should actually last for the entire year have been used up. This day is coming earlier and earlier; this year it fell on 24 July – which means that far more than one Earth would be needed to keep the system running at its current lifestyle.
Furthermore, the consumption of resources that are not actually available has serious consequences:
- Species extinction is being accelerated, for example by the deforestation of animal habitats.
- The amount of fertile soil is declining due to overuse, among other factors, meaning that biocapacity is no longer effective.
- Increased greenhouse gases contribute to the problematic warming of the climate and the Earth.
- Overfishing of the oceans further upsets the ecological balance.
The influence of an individual
Our consumption habits account for a large part of our ecological footprint. Resources are consumed in all areas of everyday life. When we eat pre-packaged food, drive cars that consume petrol and emit pollutants, heat our homes with natural gas, pellets or other heat sources, and even when we manufacture clothing. Our purchasing habits and overall lifestyle influence our consumption of resources.
Switzerland also has a very large per capita footprint, which cannot be offset by the available biocapacity. Action is needed. There are many ways to reduce our impact on the planet. Using bicycles, carpooling or public transport is just as well known as choosing plant-based, regional products as the basis of your diet. Added to this are classics such as heating less and limiting showers to a quick wash. But what impact can clothing have?
Take a step towards a smaller footprint with sustainable clothing
One of the biggest factors in terms of environmental impact is the textile industry. Whether for raw materials, dyeing or transport, it often consumes larger amounts of resources, causes more pollution and produces higher greenhouse gas emissions than one might expect. This applies primarily to fast fashion products, which are produced cheaply, then consumed quickly and for a short time, and finally disposed of far too quickly. Even disposal sometimes leads to further environmental pollution and an overload of biocapacity.
First things first: even the most sustainable and fairest fashion requires resources – that is unavoidable. This makes it all the more important to treat it with respect and appreciation. You should also make sure that the materials used are ecological and renewable or less resource-intensive raw materials such as organic cotton. And that natural dyes are used instead of chemical ones. Those who opt for timeless, high-quality fashion can be sure of being able to wear it for a very long time. The longer, the better. This puts consumables into perspective over time and conserves biocapacity.
Faedah Collection makes it possible
If you prefer quality over quantity, Faedah is the right place for you. The brands in our shop focus on improved sustainability in terms of resource conservation and better biocapacity. At the same time, they dress their wearers in a modern and elegant way. Many may consider the purchasing decisions made by a single person to be insignificant. But it is an important step. If we all consider the different impacts and possibilities and specifically reduce our footprint, this will have a major effect.