Census villages and the ecological footprint: Alternate data sources, policy analyses, and communication

Abstract

Building on existing national census geographies and high-quality local bottom-up data, the Ecological Footprint is calculated for high GIS resolution Census Villages. The Calgary Urban Region case study is compared with the Kootenay Towns and Rural Region in the adjacent province. Top-down Statistics Canada villages surveyed across Canada on a five-year cycle function as the primary consumption data source. Building utilities energy, and registered vehicles fuel consumption add accuracy in quantification of Ecological Footprint housing and transportation components. Urban data is extrapolated outside the core city to evaluate regional Census Villages. This hybrid model proposes the national survey Census Villages function as the optimal Ecological Footprint geography. Top-down surveyed data supports municipal decision-making and bottom-up data extrapolated outside the core city allows precision climate action analyses and policy communications. Median household income remains a proxy and functions as the only footprint estimation for some components. Precision bottom-up data results in increased communications capabilities. The gamification of Villages is proposed to influence action on unsustainability in the promotion of thinking globally when messaging locally. This hybrid method proposes to inform and influence global sustainability via Canadian or other national similar sized survey geographies. Replication in other nations and urban contexts has potential.