Since 1990, Yann Arthus-Bertrand has flown over hundreds of countries. His aerial photographs, which cannot be dissociated from their captions, invite all of us to reflect upon the Earth's evolution and the future of its inhabitants. A report through words and images which makes us aware that, not only are we individually responsible for our planet, we must also decide what we bequeath to future generations, together.

Since 1950, economic growth has been considerable, and world production of goods and services has multiplied by a factor of 7. During this same period, while the world's population has only doubled, the volume of fish caught and meat produced has multiplied by 5. So has the energy demand. Oil consumption has multiplied by 7, and carbon dioxide emissions, the main cause of the greenhouse effect and global warming, by 4. Since 1900, fresh water consumption has multiplied by 6, chiefly to provide for agriculture.