Because of the ever-increasing resources consumption, we need about 75% larger Planet. Year by year the limits are exceeded, so this year, Overshood Day was calculated for 29th July (as last year).
The more humans have, the more they want, and they take more than they can return. The planet does not have enough time and space to recover its own resources. We cut down more trees than they can grow, we catch more fish than they can get born and grow in the same time. We produce more carbon dioxide than plants and trees can absorb.
The US and the EU consume 2.2 times as much as their own ecosystems can provide.
What is the meaning of Overshoot Day?
Earth Overshoot Day (EOD), previously known as Ecological Debt Day (EDD), is a calculated illustrative calendar date on which humanity’s resource consumption for the year exceeds Earth’s capacity to regenerate those resources that year.
Overshoot Day has been introduced since 1970, when Overshoot Day was set for December. From the 1970s to the the first half of the 1980s, Overshoot Day was calculated for November and December. From the second half of the 1980s to 1996 it was October. September was caculated between 1997 and 2004. From 2005 to 2017 this day fell on August.
How is Earth Overshoot Day Calculated?
According to the Global Footprint Network, they “calculate the number of days that Earth’s biocapacity suffices to provide for humanity’s Ecological Footprint. The remainder of the year is the global overshoot. Earth Overshoot Day is calculated by dividing the planet’s biocapacity (the amount of Earth’s ecological resources being able to generate that year), by the humanity’s Ecological Footprint, and by multiplying by 365, the number of days in the year: (Planet’s Biocapacity / Humanity’s Ecological Footprint) x 365 = Earth Overshoot Day.”
Move the Date
The Global Footprint Network offers steps to move Overshoot Day to a date as soon as possible. These include reducing meat consumption, maintaining a timeless wardrobe (clothing makes up 3% of the global ecological footprint) or focusing on eco-sensibility traveling. The organization suggests that overpopulation issues need to be addressed.
If we cut food waste in half worldwide, we would move the Earth Overshoot Day by 11 days. There are many ways we can help boost the health of our natural ecosystems and feel good in the process, such as planting a tree or growing an edible garden. Reforesting 350 million hectares of forest would move the Earth Overshoot Day by 8 days.
Sources: overshootday.org, footprintnetwork.org
Credit: wikipedia.org, pixabay.com, wikimedia.org, pxhere.com
