How accurate is the Ecological Footprinting model as an indicator of the sustainability of our current practices?
The Ecological Footprint is not a “sustainability” indicator per se. Sustainability is a broader issue than just living within biological capacity; social and economic issues are also part of the sustainability agenda. The Ecological Footprint measures the land required to provide a given population with all its resources and absorb its waste. This is one important part of the sustainability debate.