Ecological Footprint, Renewable Energy, and Soil Conservation

Understanding the Ecological Footprint

The ecological footprint is an indicator that measures the soil surface in hectares needed to produce the resources consumed by a citizen, population, etc., and also needed to absorb and detoxify the waste generated. Its purpose is to assess the impact on the planet.

Energy and Development

Population growth and economic development have required the consumption of large amounts of energy. Fossil fuels have been the most used.

The Drawbacks of Fossil Fuels

One drawback is that fossil fuels produce carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, etc. These substances are pollutants.

The Rise of Renewable Energy Sources

For these reasons, and more, we have started to exploit renewable energy sources as they are cleaner.

• Are used for the production of electricity and heat.
• Electricity: Wind, hydro, solar photovoltaic, and tidal.
• Thermal: Solar thermal, biomass, biogas, and biofuels.

Renewable Energy Sources

Solar Energy

Solar energy produces no additional heat to the atmosphere, as do fossil fuels. It is achieved by using solar panels for heat and photovoltaic panels for electricity.

Hydropower

Hydropower uses the energy released in waterfalls to generate electricity at hydroelectric plants.

Tidal Energy

Its application is based on the same principle as hydraulics. It is generated by tidal power.

Wind Power

Wind power harnesses the power of wind to move the blades of windmills and transform it into electricity.

Biomass

Biomass is the amount of organic material of an organism or an ecosystem.

The Soil: A Substrate for Life

Soil is the layer of variable thickness, located on the surface of the Earth's crust. It is formed from bedrock by the action of living organisms and climate.

Soil Conservation

Soil, a nonrenewable resource, is not only essential for the survival of ecosystems but also for the lives of people.

The main land use is agriculture and livestock farming. One consequence is the diminution of habitat, fragmentation of landscapes, and decreasing the space many species need.

The economic growth of developed countries has occurred by the destruction of the territory.

The artificial soil surface in Spain has increased more than 30% in the last decades.

• Agricultural areas occupy about 50% of the Spanish area and are generally used for rainfed crops.
• Forest areas have declined due to forest fires.
• Wetlands represent nearly 1% of the area in Spain.

Fossil Fuels

Coal

Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel and was more used in the eighteenth century as a substitute for wood. Today, it is hardly used due to the high increase of greenhouse gases.

Oil

Oil is the most widely used fuel, providing 40% of global energy production. It originates from marine microorganisms mixed with sand and silt after a process of transformation of thousands of years.

From petroleum-based fuels, we obtain gasoline, fuel oil, and kerosene. Oil is easily extracted, and its derivatives have a high calorific value.