However, population (and human capital) alone cannot be the only basis for
determining Earth’s carrying capacity, and biocapacity (or natural capital) has an
equally important role to play. Biocapacity – as the biologically productive area of
the Earth’s surface – can be measured using net primary production (NPP) based on
biomass productivity. Satellite imagery can help us to discern this, as for example
31% of the Earth is covered in forest (Blomqvist et al. 2013; also see Giampietro and
Saltelli 2014). All producers should be included, however – and not just forests. This
includes crops (human production) among biocapacity.
3.2 Framing Production
In the balance between human and natural capital, humans operate like other animals
as consumers. However, we are also considered to be producers because we affect
production through crops and by planting trees and, thereby, so affect crop and forest
lands. Grazing animals are also selected by humans as part of cultivation, so they too
are part of our production. Fish farming is expanding these days and should likewise
be included in human productivity calculations along with natural and artificial (e.g.,
fish farms) fishing grounds. Built-up land constitutes a growing area of human use
and creation for city-dwelling and movement (transportation and infrastructure).
These are the five components of biocapacity (production) that have counterparts
in the Ecological Footprint (consumption). The latter includes crop and grazing
lands used for food procurement as well as drawing upon fishing grounds for this
consumption. Forests supply food products, but also wood products for use. Built-up
land is used up for living and transport, when it could be available for other land
EF Components, 1961-2016
3.5
Year
0.5
1.5
2.5
3
2
1
0
1 9 6 1
1 9 6 4
1 9 6 7
1 9 7 0
1 9 7 3
1 9 7 6
1 9 7 9
1 9 8 2
1 9 8 5
1 9 8 8
1 9 9 1
1 9 9 4
1 9 9 7
2 0 0 0
2 0 0 3
2 0 0 6
2 0 0 9
2 0 1 2
2 0 1 5
(gha/capita)
Cropland
Fishing Grounds
Grazing Land
Built-up Land
Forest Products
Carbon
Fig. 3.5 Components of the world’s Ecological Footprint, 1961–2016. (Source: Global Footprint
Network 2020)
3.2 Framing Production
45
determining Earth’s carrying capacity, and biocapacity (or natural capital) has an
equally important role to play. Biocapacity – as the biologically productive area of
the Earth’s surface – can be measured using net primary production (NPP) based on
biomass productivity. Satellite imagery can help us to discern this, as for example
31% of the Earth is covered in forest (Blomqvist et al. 2013; also see Giampietro and
Saltelli 2014). All producers should be included, however – and not just forests. This
includes crops (human production) among biocapacity.
3.2 Framing Production
In the balance between human and natural capital, humans operate like other animals
as consumers. However, we are also considered to be producers because we affect
production through crops and by planting trees and, thereby, so affect crop and forest
lands. Grazing animals are also selected by humans as part of cultivation, so they too
are part of our production. Fish farming is expanding these days and should likewise
be included in human productivity calculations along with natural and artificial (e.g.,
fish farms) fishing grounds. Built-up land constitutes a growing area of human use
and creation for city-dwelling and movement (transportation and infrastructure).
These are the five components of biocapacity (production) that have counterparts
in the Ecological Footprint (consumption). The latter includes crop and grazing
lands used for food procurement as well as drawing upon fishing grounds for this
consumption. Forests supply food products, but also wood products for use. Built-up
land is used up for living and transport, when it could be available for other land
EF Components, 1961-2016
3.5
Year
0.5
1.5
2.5
3
2
1
0
1 9 6 1
1 9 6 4
1 9 6 7
1 9 7 0
1 9 7 3
1 9 7 6
1 9 7 9
1 9 8 2
1 9 8 5
1 9 8 8
1 9 9 1
1 9 9 4
1 9 9 7
2 0 0 0
2 0 0 3
2 0 0 6
2 0 0 9
2 0 1 2
2 0 1 5
(gha/capita)
Cropland
Fishing Grounds
Grazing Land
Built-up Land
Forest Products
Carbon
Fig. 3.5 Components of the world’s Ecological Footprint, 1961–2016. (Source: Global Footprint
Network 2020)
3.2 Framing Production
45