Earth Overshoot Day

Earth Overshoot Day (EOD) is an annual event that marks the date when humanity's demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. It is calculated by the Global Footprint Network, an international research organization that promotes sustainable living.

History

Earth Overshoot Day was first conceived by Andrew Simms of the UK think tank New Economics Foundation, who calculated the first global Earth Overshoot Day in 2006. The concept has gained widespread recognition as a way to illustrate the growing impact of human activities on the planet.

Calculation

The date of Earth Overshoot Day is calculated by dividing the world Biocapacity (the amount of natural resources generated by Earth that year), by the world Ecological Footprint (humanity's consumption of Earth's natural resources for that year), and multiplying by 365, the number of days in one year.

Trends

Since its inception, Earth Overshoot Day has moved up the calendar by almost five months, from late October in 2000 to early August in 2020. This trend indicates that we are currently using natural resources 1.7 times faster than our planet's ecosystems can regenerate, equivalent to 1.7 Earths.

Implications

The implications of Earth Overshoot Day are significant. It serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for sustainable living and resource use. Overshooting leads to resource depletion—such as deforestation, soil erosion, biodiversity loss—and waste accumulation, like CO2 in the atmosphere.

Solutions

Solutions to push back Earth Overshoot Day include reducing the Ecological Footprint through improved efficiency, sustainable resource management, and shifting towards renewable energy sources. The Global Footprint Network also promotes individual actions such as reducing meat consumption, reducing energy use, and choosing sustainable alternatives.

See also

• Ecological Footprint
• Global Footprint Network
• Sustainability
• Biocapacity

References

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