Ireland has world’s 10th largest ecological footprint

IRELAND has the 10th largest ecological footprint in the world, with one of the worst records of excessive human consumption of natural resources, according to a major international report.

The Living Planet report looks at the changing state of ecosystems, consumption of natural resources and the implications for the future of the world.

Overall, the report concludes natural resources are being consumed faster than the Earth is replenishing them. People are now living lifestyles which would require one and a half planets to sustain, though there are significant differences between rich and poor nations.