Earth Overshoot Day, the date when our demand exceeds what the planet can regenerate, continues to get earlier every year
Humans have used up their annual budget of natural resources as of today, according to climate change researchers.
Earth Overshoot Day, this year falling on 8 August, marks the date when humanity’s annual demand on nature exceeds what the planet can regenerate in that year.
This happens when more carbon dioxide is emitted than can be absorbed by oceans and forests while plant and animal life is depleted faster than it can regrow or reproduce.
The date is calculated each year by researcher body Global Footprint Network (GFN), which said carbon emissions were now the fastest-growing contributor to ecological overshoot.
As the global population has grown and consumption has increased, Earth Overshoot Day has moved from late September in 2000 to August 8 in 2016. On a positive note, GFN said, the rate at which the date has moved forward has slowed to less than one day a year on average in the past five years, compared to an average of three days a year since overshoot began in the early 1970s.
GFN is calling for “a new way of living on our planet” to achieve goals set by the 2015 Paris climate agreement.
The only resource we still need more of is political will - Mathis Wackernagel
Co-founder and chief executive Mathis Wackernagel said: “Such a new way of living comes with many advantages, and making it happen takes effort.
“The good news is that it is possible with current technology, and financially advantageous with overall benefits exceeding costs. It will stimulate emerging sectors like renewable energy, while reducing risks and costs associated with the impact of climate change on inadequate infrastructure.
“The only resource we still need more of is political will.”
GFN highlighted countries that were embracing the challenge of reducing their carbon footprint. Costa Rica generated 97% of its energy from renewables in the first three months of 2016, while Portugal, Germany and Britain also demonstrated “groundbreaking” levels of renewable energy capability.
“The Paris climate agreement is the strongest statement yet about the need to reduce the carbon footprint drastically. Ultimately, collapse or stability is a choice,” said Wackernagel.
“We forcefully recommend nations, cities and individuals take swift, bold actions to make the Paris goals an attainable reality.”
