What can 0.06 gha provide per person in Laguna Lake Region – compared to what is available in other regions and the world?
CROPLAND
Figure 8.
REGION
GRAZING LAND
LAND AREA
TOTAL FOOD ENERGY1
(SQM)
(KCAL/PERSON/DAY)
TOTAL FOOD ENERGY2
FORESTS LAND AREA
IF ONLY TIMBER WAS GROWN3
(SQM)
(CM)
1
7
1
1
60
300
20
67
PHILIPPINES
1100
6000
36
800
20
WORLD
1700
9200
500
6400
160
METRO MANILA LAGUNA LAKE REGION
0.03 2
0.06 gha
If only rice were grown (kcal/person/day) If only beef were raised (kcal/person/day) 3 length of a 2”x4” piece of wood per day per person (in cm) 1 2
For example, there is about 1 sq. meter of cropland in the Metro Manila area per person. This area, if dedicated entirely to rice production, would provide on average 7 kcal of rice per day (or about 65 grains of rice).
Of course, most regions do not depend solely on natural resources from within their own borders, though many, such as Laguna Lake region, provide resources to other regions. So the question is: Do they, in net terms, need more than what they have? To compensate for their biocapacity deficit, residents from Laguna Lake region must depend more on resources outside the region, as well as beyond the Philippines. However, as resources become more scarce and the world more crowded, it will become more difficult to do so; and the most vulnerable –
47
those who cannot afford to pay the higher prices for basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing – will suffer the most. Laguna Lake region, rich in biocapacity, has an opportunity to seek development that works with nature’s budget, rather than overextending themselves and liquidating nature. If this balance can be achieved, advances in human development, and economic progress can be sustained.
48