The non-profit organization Global Footprint Network has been calculating "Earth Overshot Day" annually since 1961 with the help of the 'Ecological Footprint'. The 'Ecological Footprint' is an indicator of resource consumption and the impact of human activity on the environment. From a critical point of view, however, it mainly takes into account the CO? emissions of the countries and thus still makes too positive statements.
According to the Global Footprint Network report, the world's population currently lives as if it had 1.7 Earths at its disposal. Humankind is thus using nature 1.7 times faster than ecosystems can generate. We are experiencing the manifold consequences for the environment, climate change, species extinction or the increasing loss of vital resources such as drinking water, in all areas of life.
The researchers of the "Global Footprint Network" also determine how large a country's land area would have to be to recover the resources it has consumed. Germany's land area would have to be THREE times as large for this!
The "Earth Overload Day" shifts further forward from year to year. In 1987 the day was still on December 19. By the world-wide consumption and population growth it was calculated in the years 2019 already for 29 July. In 2020 - due to Corona - the date was set for August 22.
It is up to all of us to put an end to the unchecked consumption of resources. For example, if food waste alone were cut in half worldwide, Earth Overshoot Day would be 11 days later. Halving CO2 emissions would push the date back by about 90 days.
Every individual can make a contribution to climate protection. Just buying seasonal foods and durable products made from recycled materials can save a lot of energy and prevent waste. Our potential for environmentally conscious action is enormous!
