Affluent Societies And The Overexploitation Of Marine Ecosystems

Question 1

What are the BRIC and MINT nations?

Answer 1

• Emerging economies
• BRIC: Brazil, Russia, India and Chine
• MINT: Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey
• 1 billion attained ‘middle-class’ status in last 30 years

Question 2

What is an ecological footprint?

Answer 2

Measurement of area of land or water required to provide a person with energy, food and resources needed to live

Question 3

How does the ecological footprint of an LIC compare to that of a HIC?

Answer 3

• US ecological footprint 20x larger than sub-Saharan farmer

- Same area of land supports 10 US citizens and 200 African farmers

Question 4

How is China’s growing affluence affecting the marine ecosystem?

Answer 4

• Diet richer in meat and fish
• Water insecurity (Same area of farmland will support 10 vegetarians and 1 meat eater)
• Shark fin soup is a delicacy. More can afford it, shark numbers are dwindling (Finning)