ecological footprint

noun

1. the amount of productive land appropriated on average by each person (in the world, a country, etc) for food, water, transport, housing, waste management, and other purposes

Example Sentences

When compared to tap water, bottled water also has a significant ecological footprint, particularly due to the transport and disposal of containers.

From Salon

Clean energy policies in the UAE grew in the mid-2000s, when the World Wildlife Fund estimated the country had the world’s largest ecological footprint per capita — meaning that each of its residents used more resources on average than those in any other nation.

From Seattle Times

Mulch films not only control weeds and pests, but also preserve soil moisture, regulate temperature, and improve nutrient uptake, thus helping to reduce the ecological footprint of agriculture.

From Science Daily

With the growing awareness of the ecological footprint left by traditional construction, the demand for sustainable residential structures has soared.

From Seattle Times

"We are producing more efficiently with a lower ecological footprint; it's not only quantity but also quality."

From BBC