Ecological and carbon footprint by consumption and income in GIS: down to a census village scale

Abstract

To measure local sustainability, the ecological and carbon footprints are approximated in global hectares based on consumption and income in a geographic information system (GIS). Income correlates strongly with consumption when both are surveyed by Canadian national statistics at a large urban area scale. The ecological footprint (EF) and its components have also been measured across national income deciles. An extrapolation proposed here of these gross measures allows the EF to be estimated at a city, town and village scale. The housing, mobility and energy or carbon footprint components of the EF inform local sustainability interests. Maps and visual images from GIS expressing footprint measurements and comparisons enable local policy planners and community representatives to communicate and bring the “think global act local” connection of the global hectare to their endeavours to educate, raise awareness and possibly support policy decision-making. Income and consumption may themselves become targets of reduction to improve sustainability.