The ecological footprint is a concept developed by Dr. William Rees to measure the effect of humans on the planet. In this clip, he describes the concept to Sarika Cullis Suzuki, pointing out the relative weight of the footprint in northern countries. He also explains how he came to develop the concept. Finally, he talks about how much we are all connected to and dependent on the Earth.
Specialist's biography
William Rees is professor and former director of UBC's School of Community and Regional Planning. As an ecological economist, he is best known for inventing "ecological footprint analysis." Dr Rees was elected to the Royal Society of Canada in 2006 and awarded a prestigious Trudeau Foundation Fellowship in 2007.