The World According to Worldmapper

Posted on September 3, 2008 by Matt Embrey in Media+Internet

These maps from Worldmapper depict each countries size based on their relative impact in a certain area.  The map above shows each countries “Ecological Footprint” which is a measure of the area/resources needed to support each countries population.  Clearly the United States, China and India have the largest ecological footprints, but considering how large the populations of China and India are, it’s crazy that the US still has a larger footprint.  According to Worldmapper, “the per person footprint in the United States is almost five times the world average, and almost ten times what would be sustainable.”

There are a lot really interesting maps on the site worth checking out.  Here are a few as they relate to our environmental impact…

Territory size shows the proportion of carbon dioxide emissions in 2000 that were directly from there.

 Now you see us…

Territory size shows the proportion of all territory level decreases in carbon dioxide emissions between 1980 and 2000, that occurred there.

Now you don’t.

Territory size shows the proportion of all municipal waste generated worldwide that is generated there.

Territory size shows the proportion of all municipal waste that is recycled, that is recycled there.

Here’s something to be proud of, relative to the rest of the world, we are a recycling powerhouse, but then again, we are one of the biggest waste creators, so we should recycle the most.  A more telling map would be one that showed the proportion of waste to recycling.

For all our faults, the USA is still the greatest country in the world.  I think what these maps show is that we can be better than we are.  One of our greatest strength’s is our system of democracy… the only problem is we have to actually use it.  This last map is the most embarrassing.  In my opinion, if was want to change the way the maps above look, first we have to change the way the map below looks!

 
Territory size shows the estimated proportion of all people who voted in elections between 1945 and 1998 who voted there.

consumption, emissions, Global Warming, map, pollution, voting, world