The ecological footprint of New Zealand as a step towards sustainability

Three studies have derived ecological footprints for New Zealand. Two were done in NZ and are based on land area only. The third is part of an international study which includes marine resources. Absolute comparisons in physical parameters are difficult as they do not all have the same baseline. Relative comparisons, as a proportion of carrying capacity exclusive of marine resources, are comparable, viz. 86, 60 and 70%. Precaution and the maintenance of biodiversity imply that we should live well within our carrying capacity. New Zealand therefore could be considered as already over populated at our present life style and relative to the global carrying capacity. The international study of 52 nations (80% of the world's population) derives an average global footprint (2.8 ha/cap), inclusive of marine resources, that is greater than the global ecological capacity (2.1 ha/cap). NZ has a very large footprint at 7.6 ha/cap whilst being the most bounteous of all with an ecological capacity of 20.4 ha/cap. However the marine ecological capacity for NZ is proportionately very large (50% of our total capacity) but uncertain and so should be disregarded. Exclusive of the marine component, the NZ footprint and capacity are 7.4 and 10.5 ha/cap respectively-the 70% reported above. A significant minority in New Zealand would not feel they are enjoying the bounty expressed by these figures. There are several reasons-we undervalue nature's wealth; quantitative growth is unsustainable; we are losing control of our resources; our economic system is flawed. Even so, achieving greater equity within NZ and between nations within the global capacity will not in itself lead to sustainability-to biophysical sustainability perhaps, but that is only survival. Sustainability pertains to the interior, subjective dimensions in life which have no location and are not quantifiable but which provide purpose and meaning in life. Indeed we may even be unable to achieve biophysical sustainability without engaging in the evolution of human consciousness at a collective level. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.