Assessment Of Sustainable Development In Central Region Based On Ecological Footprint Model

Since the reform and opening up, the economy has achieved rapiddevelopment in central region. However, these achievements are obtained atthe expense of environmental deterioration and excessive consumption ofresources. Therefore, in order to achieve the coordinated development ofecological environment and social economy, we must re-examine therelationship between man and nature. There are many evaluation indexes ofsustainable development ability, among which ecological footprint is widelyaccepted for its easy operation, wide scope of application.In this paper, the author calculates ecological footprint and ecologicalcapacity of six provinces in central region (Anhui, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei,Shanxi, and Henan) from2001to2011by adding the balance factor toecological footprint model and analyzes the dynamic trend of the ecologicalenvironment in central region for nearly11years. Then the author of thisthesis forecasts the development trend of ecological footprint and ecologicalcarrying capacity in the next five years for the purpose of quantitative study ofthe present situation of ecological environment and sustainable developmentin central region. On the basis of this, ecological pressure index, ten thousandyuan GDP ecological footprint, ecological footprint coordination andecological economic elasticity coefficient are selected for further analysis ofthe ecological and economic sustainable development ability in central region.The results show that per capita of ecological footprint in central region from2001to2011as a whole increases year by year and the per capita of ecologicalcapacity reduces steadily. Ecological contradiction of supply and demandleads to the growing economical deficit in central region. Among these sixprovinces, Shanxi is most harassed by ecological contradiction of supply anddemand, followed by Hubei, Henan, Anhui, Hunan and Jiangxi. From theperspective of resource utilization, the calculation results of ten thousand yuanGDP ecological footprint and ecological economic elasticity coefficient showthat resource utilization efficiency has been improved with varying degrees insix central provinces due to economic development. But considering otherecological factors, calculation results of central region are not optimistic and ecological environment faces huge pressure either in ecological pressure indexor coordination degree of ecological footprint. This suggests the extensivemode of economic development in central region relies on the wrong methodof "environmental overdraw" in exchange for rapid economic growth andecological environment is overtaxed. If the present resource utilization modelis not controlled, ecological poverty in central China will become worse andworse. Ecological basis for economy development will been lost eventually.Finally, the author puts forward some suggestions on reducing theecological footprint and increasing ecological capacity from the perspective ofthe transformation of economical development in order to realize thesustainable development of economy, environment and society. In addition,the author discusses the innovation and inadequacies in the research processand makes a plan of further related research.