• Examine the implications of a strict definition of sustainability.
• Understand how personal material consumption impacts the environment, particularly in relation to population growth.
• Use the concept of an ecological footprint to measure sustainability.
• Appreciate how our lifestyles, especially the attributes of living in a wealthy, suburbanized, automobile dependent culture, impact the global environment and the ability for citizens in other countries to acquire a fair share of Earth's resources.
• Understand how much land area it takes to support our direct and indirect consumption of food, housing, transportation, goods, services, and generation of waste.
• Consider the potential global environmental impacts as developing nations aspire to achieve industrial economies similar to that of the United States.

sustainability; footprint; biosphere; personal consumption; population growth; carrying capacity;