1999-2008年G20国家自然资本利用的空间格局变化

各国自然资本利用的时空分异评价是近期可持续发展领域的研究热点。本文采用改进的三维生态足迹模型,对1999-2008年20国集团(G20)自然资本利用的空间格局变化进行了分析。结果表明:G20国家的自然资本利用格局具有显著的空间分异性,呈现流量自然资本占用西高东低、存量自然资本消耗北高南低的格局。根据1999-2008年自然资本利用的变化趋势,可将G20国家分为4类:流量和存量自然资本利用增强型(FI-SI型,2国)、流量和存量自然资本利用减弱型(FD-SD型,2国)、流量自然资本利用增强而存量自然资本利用减弱型(FI-SD型,4国)、流量自然资本利用减弱而存量自然资本利用增强型(FD-SI型,11国)。总体上,流量自然资本占用减弱、存量自然资本消耗增强已成为各国自然资本利用的主要变化趋势,可持续性趋于劣化,代内和代际不公平程度加剧。

Changes in the Spatial Distribution of Natural Capital Use among G20 Countries from 1999 to 2008

The spatial differentiation of natural capital use among nations is a major forum for the discussion of measuring sustainability. In this paper,a modified model of 3D ecological footprint is employed as a tool to evaluate changes in the spatial distribution of natural capital use among G20 countries from 1999 to 2008,using the footprint size and footprint depth as two fundamental indicators for the measure of capital flows and stocks,respectively. The results illustrate significant spatial differentiation of the appropriation of natural capital flows between the eastern and western hemispheres,and of the depletion of natural capital stocks between the northern and southern hemispheres. This study identifies four main typologies of national natural capital use: both flows appropriated and stocks depleted increasing(two countries involved);both flows appropriated and stocks depleted decreasing(two countries involved);flows appropriated increasing and stocks depleted decreasing (four countries involved);and flows appropriated decreasing and stocks depleted increasing(eleven countries involved). There has been a major trend in G20 natural capital use that gradually the supply of natural capital flows is impeded while the demand for natural capital stocks is reinforced. In this case,we can draw a conclusion that Earth sustainability tends to deteriorate,and the inequities are aggravated between current generations of different countries and current and future generations of human beings. The analysis of footprint size and depth changes in spatial distribution enables a biogeographical interpretation of natural capital use, which plays an indispensable role in national competitiveness and potential for growth,as well as in the quality of human well-being. The indicators of footprint size and depth,in this sense,have the capability to collectively offer the global community an opportunity to rethink what kind of natural capital use should be pursued on which sustainable societal well-being depends.