Abstract
An academic debate about ecological footprints has started at last. It was set in motion by a critical article in Ecological Economics, 29(1), 61–72, by Jeroen C.J.M. van den Bergh and Harmen Verbruggen (henceforth B&V). Being ourselves major users of ecological footprints, we disagree with most of the criticisms that B&V level at the concept. In our experience, there are widespread misunderstandings surrounding the methodology of eco-footprinting, so it seems a good time to set out the logical foundations of eco-footprinting for all those who may have an interest in the subject – surely extending beyond the readers of Ecological Economics. Thus our approach will be a general exposition. However, even those who have not read the article by B&V will doubtless benefit from knowing the sort of criticisms which are made against ecological footprints, so we will also attempt to explain and respond to the criticisms raised by B&V.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Dyer, A.D.: 1976, History Today p. 598, September 1976.
Ehrlich, P.R., Ehrlich, A.H. and Daily, G.C.: 1998, The Stork and the Plow: The Equity Answer to the Human Dilemma. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.
El Bassam, N.: 1998, Energy Plant Species: Their Use and Impact on Environment and Development. London: James & James (Science Publishers) Ltd. pp. 321.
Ferguson, A.R.B.: 1999, Sugarcane and Energy. Manchester, UK, Optimum Population Trust.
Ferguson, A.R.B.: 2000, ‘World Carrying Capacity: an interim report’, in K.E.F. Watt (ed.), Encyclopedia of Human Ecology (in press).
Fleay, B.: 1995, The Decline of the Age of Oil, Australia, Pluto Press.
Frazier, J.G: 1997, ‘Sustainable development: modern elixir or sack dress?’, Environmental Conservation 24(2), 182-193.
Hardin, G.: 1993, Living Within Limits: Ecology, Economics, and Population Taboos, New York, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
Prugh, T., Costanza, R., Cumberland, J.H., Daly, H., Goodland, R. and Norgaard, R.B.: 1995, Natural Capital and Human Economic Survival, Solomons, MD: ISEE Press (198 pp.)
Pimentel, D., Rebecca Harman, Matthew Pacenza, Jason Pecarsky and Maria Pimentel: 1994, ‘Natural resources and an optimum human population’, Population and Environment: A Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 15(5), May 1994.
Pimentel, D. and Pimentel, M.: 1996, Food, Energy, and Society, Revised edition, Niwot Co., University Press of Colorado, 363 pp., ISBN 0-87081-386-2.
Pimentel, D., Giampietro, M. and Bukkens, S.G.F.: 1998, ‘An optimum population for North and Latin America’, Population and Environment: A Journal of Interdiciplinary Studies, 20(2).
Slesser, M. and Lewis, C: 1979, Biological Energy Resources. London, E. & F.N. Spon.
Wackernagel, M. and Rees, W.E.: 1996, Our Ecological Footprint: Reducing Human Impact on the Earth, New Society Publishers, Philadelphia.
Wackernagel, M., Onisto, L., Linares, A.C., Falfan, I.S.L., Garcia, J.M., Guerrero, A.I.S. and Guerrero, M.G.S.: 1997, Ecological Footprints of Nations, Centro de Estudios para la Sustentabilidad, Mexico.
Willey, D.A. and Ferguson, A.R.B.: 1999, Carrying Capacity Ethics. Manchester, UK, Optimum Population Trust, 2 pp.
Youngquist, W.: 1997, GeoDestinies: The Inevitable Control of Earth Resources over Nations and Individuals. Portland, Oregon, National Book Company. 499 pp.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ferguson, A.R. The Logical Foundations of Ecological Footprints. Environment, Development and Sustainability 1, 149–156 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010070927485
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010070927485