Globally, we are using 1.4 Earths’ worth of biocapacity every year. Some nations, however, use a lot less than this, and some use a lot more.

Here is how many Earths we would need if everyone lived like a resident of the following countries, according to Global Footprint Network’s 2008 National Accounts.

• United States 4.5 Earths

• United Kingdom 3.1 Earths

• Germany 2.5 Earths

• Argentina 1.2 Earths

• Costa Rica 1.1 Earths

• South Africa 1.0 Earth

• India 0.4 Earths

(Source: Global Footprint Network, Media Backgrounder, 2008)

Clearly our current way of living, shopping and consuming is not sustainable.