In Section 2, ‘Consumption’, we displayed the global footprint of countries divided by population so as to concentrate upon consumption only. This was useful to highlight the predominance of consumption and overconsumption by the First World. But, as mentioned in 5.1, this is only part of the picture and a truer representation of total footprint, or impact, can be presented only if population is taken into account.

The map now shows not only First World countries where consumption is generally the major cause of impact, but developing countries, as well – where population is often the major cause – and countries somewhere in-between, like Russia and Brazil and Indonesia, where elements of both are in play.

I have not the slightest interest in finger-pointing and blame-shifting because if the footprint map shows anything it is that we are all in this together and we will all have to contribute, individually, nationally, internationally, if we are to achieve a worthwhile future. Whether this contribution will primarily be reducing consumption and a far more equitable sharing of resources, or measures to reduce population, or cessation of damaging technologies, will depend on a country’s or individual’s circumstances and opportunities, but all, at every scale, can and must make a contribution if we are to reduce, and then eliminate, the ecological deficit we have been running since 1970 (see below).