My ecological footprint is 38 acres, and if everyone on earth lived like I do it would require 8.5 more planet earths to support all that. The average North American has a 24 acre footprint, making me more ecologically consumptive than average. I had thought, as many Americans probably think, that I was somehow better than the rest. I understand the value of local food, and I have read extensively on the subject. Have I actually challenged myself to feed my family on local food predominantly? Well of course I haven't, mere understanding should be adequate to change the world, no? I have been espousing the global benefits of local food for years, yet without doing the hard work of putting my money where my sweet tooth is. I give myself a pass for driving a truck getting 12 mpg of diesel for two reasons. First off, I am a farmer and my vocation demands the utility of that truck. Secondly, my diesel could be instantly converted to alternative biofuels. Have I made such a conversion? No. Would I pay the premium for Biodiesel, maybe. Do I really NEED to drive a 1 ton truck every day in the course of my extensive travels around the farm? NO. Could I actually do my job in a mini cooper? Not likely, but I probably could get away with a Subaru. I am no better than the rest.