Data Points is a new series where we explore the world of data visualization, information graphics, and cartography.

Get too far into financial debt and creditors come calling. Fall into debt with nature and the consequences can be even more distressing: Hotter temperatures , shrinking farmland , and dried up reservoirs are only a few of the problems we're grappling with as a result of overtaxing the environment.

Data from a new report by the Global Footprint Network looks at which American states are running into the red with Mother Nature through such activities as burning fossil fuels, overfishing, and chopping down forests.

Ecological Creditors Biocapacity exceeds Ecological Footprint by 0 50 100 200 500 >500% Ecological Debtors Ecological Footprint exceeds Biocapacity by 0 50 100 200 500 >500% 250 mi 250 km MA RI CT NJ DE MD DC WA OR CA AK HI MT ID NV AZ NM UT WY AK HI MT ID NV AZ ND SD TX LA MO KS OK NE IL IN AR MN WI MI OH KY TN AL MS FL SC NC VA NY ME WV VT NH GA PA CO IA 250 mi 250 km Biocapacity Global acres per capita 0 5 10 20 50 100 >100 Ecological Footprint Global acres per capita 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 NG STAFFSOURCE: Global Footprint Network

Our analysis looks at each state's ecological capacity—the ability of its environment to provide the resources that the state's residents use everyday, per capita. The numbers take into account how many acres of forest, pasture, cropland, and ocean each state controls. This is what's known as biocapacity. We then compare that to each state's demand for those resources—its ecological footprint.

Ecological creditors are states that use less than their environment can provide. They're staying within nature's budget. Ecological debtors demand more than nature can provide.

Biggest Ecological Debtors Biocapacity deficit in global acres per person Does not include District of Columbia NG STAFFSOURCE: Global Footprint Netwok

These five states have racked up the most ecological "debt" per person, with Maryland topping the list. Each person in this coastal state would need, on average, 21.8 more acres of land and water to meet their consumption needs. The report goes on to say that Maryland is trying to pay down its debt by conserving wetlands and reducing energy consumption.

Biggest Ecological Creditors Biocapacity surplus in global acres per person NG STAFFSOURCE: Global Footprint Network