Mankind’s impact on the Earth is greater than most people thought, according to The Human Footprint study conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Among the telling statistics: “83% of the land’s surface is directly influenced by human agency” and “98% of the areas where it’s possible to grow rice or wheat or corn (maize) are similarly influenced.” This indicates that there are very few parts of the earth that remain “wild,” pristine and unaffected from the impact of human existence. I suppose I shouldn’t be that surprised, but the numbers were higher than I would have thought…