Earth Overshoot Day was on 1 August this year. Throughout the world this day is remembered as the day we finish our allocated budget of natural resources for the year and begin operating on a deficit budget, because we have gone beyond ecological limits. Just like a bank account in red, we are on ecological overdraft with Planet Earth.
Throughout history humankind has largely depended on natural resources for food, shelter and energy. This is causing a huge “ecological footprint” resulting in loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, and deforestation, as well as more severe environmental catastrophes and incredible social and political challenges around the world. Our actions as humans continue to pressure Mother Earth and its already overexploited resources. At the current rate of resource consumption and overspending, Mother Earth will no longer be able to sustain us. Current demands and usage does not bode well. Change is required before serious consequences occur for all humankind. We need to focus on available resources and worldwide Usage versus sustainabily. We need to ask ourselves if nature is able to regenerate and replace all the resources used? Few people are aware that in the 1970’s, the world fell into ecological debt. Since then, according to the Global Footprint Network, “renewable natural resources are being consumed at rate 1.7 times faster than the renewal rate”.
There is no doubt that there is an urgent need for everyone to take responsibility and change their habits. What we do today and tomorrow matters most, we cannot let the past determine our future. We need to reduce our ecological footprints. Go green, use alternative energies instead of firewood, reduce driving, and most importantly slow the rate of population growth. Do what you can do to change the world. As conservationists let us lead the way.
Thank you to the Global Footprint Network for keeping the world informed and developing “a “bookkeeping tool” for nature the ecological footprint. It starts with you. Take action today. #MoveTheDate
What can you do?
- Adopt “R” Principles – rethink, reuse, recycle, reduce, recover, refurbish
- Provide education and awareness
- Advocate for change
- Support this movement by organizing Earth Overshoot Day events every year
- Join the movement
