1st August is officially Earth Overshoot Day, and we're here to raise awareness on it, support the cause, and give you the low down on what this means for us, and the world's entire ecosystem...
You might be wondering, what actually is Earth Overshoot Day? This is the date each year when humanity's demand for ecological resources and services exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. This means its an urgent reminder to us all that more radical, proactive actions are needed to mitigate climate change.
So, if the date for Earth Overshoot Day changes depending on the resources we use, how do we calculate it? It’s actually calculated by the Global Footprint Network. They look at the globes ecological footprint first of all, which measures the amount of land and water area a human population requires to produce the resources it consumes and to absorb its waste. Then, they measure the world’s biocapacity. This represents the planet’s ability to regenerate resources and absorb waste, especially carbon emissions.
For the math lovers out there, here’s how the formula looks:
Earth Overshoot Day = (Planet’s Biocapacity / Humanity’s Ecological Footprint) × 365
The result gives us a specific date that shows when we have used up the ecological resources that Earth can renew in a year. For example, if Earth Overshoot Day falls on August 1, it means that for the rest of the year, humanity is operating in ecological deficit, depleting resources and accumulating waste. Pretty scary stuff hey? Despite the day’s initial ‘doom and gloom’ feel, education is one of the key gateways for us to get out of this mess. By raising awareness of Earth Overshoot Day, the general public stay informed and in-the-know on what science is telling us.
What does this year’s date tell us?
Earth Overshoot Day has been occurring earlier and earlier each year, giving us an alarming trend in our ecological consumption. This early date means we are consuming resources faster than they can be replenished. This can lead to an over use of natural resources like forests, fisheries, and freshwater supplies. It can also increase deforestation, soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity as ecosystems can’t recover. And, higher carbon dioxide levels can occur in the atmosphere because our forests and oceans can no longer absorb its pollutants.
Sadly, if current trends stay like this, Earth Overshoot Day could keep moving earlier in the year. This unsustainable trajectory threatens the stability of our environment, economy, and society. If we don’t change our consumption patterns now, this prediction could be a reality.
What positives can we take from this?
Fortunately, we have Earth Overshoot Day to raise awareness about the finite nature of our planet’s resources! This day gives us a clear metric to understand our overconsumption, and it allows policy makers to use this benchmark and adopt better policies! Now, we can focus on solutions and encourage innovation, and policy changes.
How can we all support Earth Overshoot Day?
There’s lots of ways we can show our support for this awareness day. And, by you simply reading this blog, you are now an advocate for change! Here’s a few tips to reduce our everyday resources:
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Try switching to public transport, or walking, or cycling where you can.
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Adopt a zero-waste lifestyle by recycling, composting, and reducing single-use plastics.
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Eat more seasonal, locally produced foods - blackberries, strawberries, and cherries are in season in August!
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Improve biodiversity and soil quality in your garden by growing wildflowers, and pollinating plants!
