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Nature 421, 898 (27 February 2003) | doi:10.1038/421898a

Ecological footprints: A blot on the land

William E. Rees1

How many people lie awake at night pondering: "Just how much of the planet is dedicated to supporting me in the style to which I am accustomed?" This is — or should be — the first question of human ecology, yet very few people have given it a moment's thought.