A Macat Analysis of Mathis Wackernagel and William Rees's Our Ecological Footprint: Reducing Human Impact on the Earth
First published in 1996, Our Ecological Footprint sets out a powerful model for visualizing and measuring humanity’s impact on the Earth—the ecological footprint—with the aim of reducing the harm we are causing the planet before it is too late. Although numerous organizations, governments, and individuals worldwide have now adopted the concept of ecological footprinting, the idea has also proved to be controversial. The authors sound a clear warning that our planet’s limited resources simply can’t support an economic system based on unlimited growth. This provides serious food for thought to thinkers and policymakers who believe we can find a middle ground between environmental conservation and economic development, and to others who place their faith in future technological discoveries to solve the problem. What is clear, though, is that Our Ecological Footprint offers a valuable tool to help us create a more just, sustainable planet and to safeguard our natural resources for generations to come.
