Footprint for Nations In today’s world, where humanity is
already exceeding planetary limits, ecological assets are
becoming more critical. Each country has its own ecological risk
profile: Many are running ecological deficits, with Footprints
larger than their own biological capacity. Others depend heavily
on resources from elsewhere, which are under increasing
pressure. In some areas of the world, the implications of
ecological deficits can be devastating, leading to resource
loss, ecosystem collapse, debt, poverty, famine and war. The
Ecological Footprint is a resource accounting tool that helps
countries understand their ecological balance sheet and gives
them the data necessary to manage their resources and secure
their future. National governments using the Footprint are able
to: - Assess the value of their country’s ecological assets -
Monitor and manage their assets - Identify the risks associated
with ecological deficits - Set policy that is informed by
ecological reality and makes safeguarding resou