Application of Ecological Footprint in Evaluating Regional Sustainable Development Based on Energy Analysis Theory——A Case Study in Gansu Province

Sustainable development has become as a common view in the world.Along with rapid economic development and population growth,a series of contradictions,such as ecological degeneration and land degradation,have to be faced.In order to maintain the sustainable development,humanity must live within the limits of natural carrying capacity.In the 1990s,Rees and Wackernagel put forward an ecological footprint model,in which an easy and rapid method was offered to measure the environmental situation of eco-economic system.In the theory and method,however,there are some shortcomings to evaluate regional sustainable development.Energy theory offered by Odum H T was applied widely to track energy flow and evaluate ecological benefits and economic returns in eco-economic system.In this paper,the energy analysis and the conventional ecological footprint model were used to quantitatively evaluate the ecological footprint in Gansu Province during the period from 2000 to 2008.The results are as follows:(1) During the period from 2000 to 2008,the per capita ecological carrying capacity in Gansu Province was maintained at 55.5-63 hm2 and was in a decrease trend;(2) The ecological footprint was rapidly increased with an average annual increase rate of 10.6%;(3) The ecological deficit was rapidly increased with an average annual increase rate of 10.6%;(4) Continued high consumption of energy resources was the main cause resulting in the ecological deficit.Based on the conclusions above,some strategies were put forward for promoting sustainable development in Gansu Province.