How can we measure Scotland’s footprint? (and, once we have, what do we do with it?)

Recent months have seen a great deal of interest and consultation in Scotland regarding environmental and carbon accounting in general, and the calculation and use of ecological and carbon footprints in particular. Ecological footprints are concerned with the global impacts of our consumption decisions in terms of resource use (most commonly focussing on land use), while carbon footprints are concerned with the pollution side of the equation, carbon emissions around the world engendered by our consumption activities. Footprint measures are powerful pedagogic tools for raising interest in, and awareness of, ecological and sustainability issues, and have some valuable characteristics.