The concept of 'ecological footprint' has become a central tool in sustainability studies, quantifying the demand placed on Earth's ecosystems by human activities. It measures the area of biologically productive land and water required to produce the resources consumed and to absorb the waste generated, given prevailing technology and resource management. While the metric offers a clear, comparable index for nations and individuals, it has faced criticism for oversimplifying complex environmental impacts, such as biodiversity loss and pollution, which are not directly tied to land area. Moreover, the footprint does not account for the varying carrying capacities of different ecosystems or the potential for technological innovation to reduce resource intensity. Consequently, some scholars argue that the ecological footprint should be complemented by other indicators, like the Human Development Index, to provide a more holistic assessment of sustainability, rather than being used as a standalone measure. This debate underscores the need for multi-faceted approaches in environmental policy-making.
❓ According to the passage, what is a major limitation of the ecological footprint as a measure of sustainability?
A. It fails to consider technological improvements that may lower resource use.
B. It overemphasizes the importance of biodiversity loss.
C. It cannot be applied to individual consumers.
D. It relies on outdated data from the 20th century.
✅ 正确答案
It fails to consider technological improvements that may lower resource use.
IELTS Reading Tips
Skim the questions first, underline keywords, then locate in the passage
Watch for paraphrasing; correct answers are often reworded
Be wary of absolute statements (all, always, never) — usually wrong
Pay attention to content after transition words (however, but, yet)
Manage time: about 20 minutes per passage; skip difficult questions first