Quantitative Analysis of Sustainable Development in Gansu Province by Using Ecological Footprint Model

Ecological footprint model is a straightforward and effective method in quantitative analysis of sustainable development. Gansu Province is an economic relatively backward region, its major industries excessively depend on natural resources, belong in the resource- exporting region. If calculation of the Ecological Footprint of Gansu Province is based on its consumption, the result couldn't accurately reflect its use of the resources. According the ecological footprint theory and methods, the article calculated Gansu Province's Ecological Footprint based on its production in 2005, and compared with its Ecological Capacity in 2005. The results showed that in 2005, Gansu Province's ecological footprint based on production is 2.24hm2, with the ecological capacity of 1.13hm2, there is an ecological deficit of up to 1.11hm2, overloading 98.58%. These figures indicate that the use of natural resources of Gansu Province has been greatly exceeding its ecological capacity. Gansu Province's development is not sustainable.