What is a global footprint?

A global footprint is also sometimes known as an ecological footprint. It measures the amount of land and sea needed to provide everything we use in life, and absorb our waste. It also helps us understand what kind of impact we as a community are having on the planet.

The food we eat, the water we drink, the energy we use, the transport we travel on and the materials we consume all contribute to our global footprint. A global footprint is an estimate of the natural resources we need for us to lead our lifestyles.

A global footprint also tells us how much we use compared with what is available in the world. Developed countries generally use more than they can generate, importing many resources from abroad, this means they have a big global footprint. The global footprints of developing countries are often much smaller, as they generate the majority of their resources themeselves.

What is Scotland's global footprint?

In Scotland, our footprint is too big - we use and pollute more than our fair share. The WWF have worked out that here in Scotland we are living a 'three-planet' lifestyle, and that if everyone on earth lived the same way, we would need three whole planets to sustain us. Visit WWF Scotland to find out more about Scotland's footprint.

Did you know that the Earth’s population increases by around 215,000 every day? And that we are using up the planet's resources 25% faster than they can restock themselves. Measuring our global footprint can help us decide how to make our lives in Scotland more sustainable so that other nations and future generations can also enjoy the wonders of our planet. 

It’s more important than ever that we share resources more fairly. We are one planet, if we use up all the resources, there will be noone to bail us out.