The full Living Planet Report 2008 goes into detail about the many ways humans are depleting our natural capital. The Living Planet Report, which is published every two years, is produced with the Zoological Society of London and the Global Footprint Network  and I encourage readers to download and examine the full document. More information and report download link are available here.

But the good news is that we have the means to reverse the ecological devastation. The report outlines how we can put ourselves on a more sustainable path via global strategies.

For example, with carbon emissions from fossil fuel use noted as the greatest component of humanity's footprint, the report outlines how energy efficiency and clean energy generation can help deliver a more sustainable future. The global carbon footprint has grown more than 10-fold since 1961.

"We humans have been very good at creating problems - but we can be equally good at solving them. A sustainable world is not an unachievable goal. As the world looks to restore its economies we must build in long-term environmental as well as economic sustainability and social sustainability."

Sustainablity must be measured as ecological sustainability - not purely economic. Each one of us has a part to play in the future of our planet - our home that we share with millions of other species.