Whats the advantage of simplifying so much?
Such a model encourages a more productive communication between opposing world views. In the authors experience the simple premises behind the ecological footprint are accepted by a wide variety of people and thus provide a good common starting point for debate. It speaks to those who believe in human dependence on nature and the necessity to preserve ecological capacities to secure human survival. It also resonates with those who believe that economic activities are the origin of wealth and that only continued economic growth can ensure social peace. In other words, the footprint is a communal gathering point to encourage a diversity of people on a shared journey. Also, although the concept and representation of the footprint is essentially simplistic, the method and calculations used to derive those footprints can be as detailed as the data and human endeavour allow it to be.
