<sub>A troubling picture is emerging on the impact of the human footprint on earth's living systems. Right now with every step we take we are destroying the world. The rubber on the soles of our shoes contains toxins that are left behind in tiny amounts with every step we take. But even a small harmful act when repeated on a global scale can become a tragedy.

Whenever you open a newspaper, watch television or other media, it is the talk of the day that the Earth seems to be in danger. Whether it is during casual conversations at a cocktail party or in the ads of many companies you hear it everywhere. A recent issue of a local Dutch newspaper had a full page photo of Earth and just this one question: “Are we too late?”</sub>

_{Of course for many people this brings up deep feelings.}