Ecological footprints measure how much we consume our natural resources in order to produce products and how much waste is generated. The resources involved in our ecological footprint consist of energy, food, water, shelter, sewage wastes, trash, and greenhouse gases.

The term Anthropocene refers to the period or age of humans. Scientists use this term because human activities are the primary cause of global change during the present time period.

The greatest source of change in the biosphere is global human activities such as hunting and gathering, agriculture, industry, and urbanization. Humans depend on Earth’s resources to sustain life and other needs. As the population on our planet increases, the needs also go way up. Because of our needs for survival, we tend to think of the Earth as a source of unlimited supplies. Some of the activities in the field of agriculture, development, and industry have a negative effect in the biosphere. These activities have caused depletion in good soil. vegetation, clean water and atmosphere, and other Earth’s resources.

Other examples of the changes that are caused by human activities include the increased greenhouse gases, ozone layer depletion, and smog.

a. Due to the burning of fossil fuels, more greenhouse gases are trapping the heat inside the Earth. As a result, the global temperature has increased over the years.

b. Ozone depletion is caused by gases found in aerosol sprays and refrigerants. These things contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that are released into the Earth’s atmosphere and destroy the ozone molecules; hence, we are more exposed to UV rays.

c. A smog is caused by air pollution. It appears like a grayish brown haze in the air which is harmful when inhaled. It may cause difficulty in breathing because of its toxicity which is from the chemical reaction between air pollutants.

The comparison between Earth and a spaceship was used by Buckminster Fuller to show the success of mankind in commanding new technologies and strategies to enable humans to live a more comfortable life and to emphasize the crucial situation between the humans and the entire global systems. The humanity’s presence on Earth has both caused positive and negative changes. When the technology advanced, more resources and used and more fossil fuels were burned. When the human population and the demand for food increased, more fishes and livestock were killed to feed the people.

Buckminster Fuller wants people to know that in order to ensure the long-term success of our planet and humanity, mankind must learn how to navigate the “spaceship,” which symbolizes our planet Earth. As humans, we have the control to prevent global catastrophes from happening.

By skipping plastics, paper towels, and straws, we can reduce the amount of waste that is generated. Moreover, by conserving water and electricity, a huge part of our ecological footprint would be reduced. To reduce the water consumption, never let the faucet water run if there is no need for it when brushing the teeth and washing the face or dishes. In addition, by putting a bucket under the faucet while waiting for the shower to heat up can conserve water. The water in the bucket can be used for flushing the toilet or for watering the plants. In reducing the electricity consumption, all appliances that are not in used must be unplugged because the standby mode is still using energy even it is off.