<SYSTEM_TASK:>
Solve the following problem using Python, implementing the functions described below, one line at a time
<END_TASK>
<USER_TASK:>
Description:
 def maybe_pause_consumer(self):
 """Check the current load and pause the consumer if needed."""

        if self.load >= 1.0:
            if self._consumer is not None and not self._consumer.is_paused:
                _LOGGER.debug("Message backlog over load at %.2f, pausing.", self.load)
                self._consumer.pause()