The problem with our attitude about the environment stems from our philosophical divorce of human life and society from the natural world in which we live. We believe that through technology we can conquer Nature. We have done a good job of conquering Nature and diverting its goods and services to our own needs, but now there are simply too many people on Earth to continue in this way. We must realize that we are part of Nature, and must find a way to live in harmony with our surroundings. The EF is based on people living in cities.
Cities are totally artificial constructs of human society.
They are not self-sustaining. If we put a glass dome over Mississauga, and wait a few days, you can imagine what will happen. Garbage will pile up and begin to rot. Food will be come quickly exhausted with no new supplies. If the glass dome were expandable, the City could survive, assuming no changes in lifestyle, but would require a much larger land area to support it.