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Article: Ecological Footprint
- Article from:
- Encyclopedia of Public Health
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CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT
In the past two hundred years, economic growth fueled by industrialization has vastly increased the standard of living in industrialized nations and has contributed significantly to improved health status. But at the same time, the combination of economic growth and population growth has resulted in a dramatic increase in the consumption of natural resources, the production of wastes, and the pollution of the environment. In 1998 the Worldwatch Institute reported that globally between 1950 and 1997 lumber use tripled, paper use increased sixfold, fish catch increased nearly fivefold, grain consumption almost tripled, and fossil fuel consumption almost quadrupled. ...