August 2, 2017, is Earth Overshoot Day, the day on which mankind has consumed more natural resources than the planet can renew throughout the whole of the year.
ADVERTISEMENTAugust 2, 2017, is Earth Overshoot Day, the day on which mankind consumed more natural resources than the planet can renew throughout the whole of the year.
According to the campaign’s website, the date on which the ‘overshoot’ occurs has crept up the calendar becoming five days earlier each year.
A true comparison of Earth Overshoot Days can only be made using the same edition of Footprint data. #movethedatehttps://t.co/trCG5BGcr4pic.twitter.com/P97pTQbFwS
— Footprint Network (@EndOvershoot) July 13, 2017
It also highlights the disparity between countries.
How many Earths would we need if everyone in the world lived the average lifestyle in your country? https://t.co/p2guqBNBJo#movethedatepic.twitter.com/jMWmc4AbY2
— Footprint Network (@EndOvershoot) July 27, 2017
What can you do to help push back Earth Overshoot Day in 2018?
Try a vegetarian recipe
The Earth Overshoot Day’s website says that it takes 14 times as much biologically productive land to produce 907 kilograms of beef than the same amount of grain.
It also explains that “global livestock is responsible for 9% of all anthropogenic carbon emissions,” and that cutting consumption is one way to reduce this figure.
The site suggests that trying new vegetarian alternatives to your favourite meat-based meals would help reduce your ecological footprint.
Share a lift
How do you get around? Could you share a lift with someone if you need to take your car, or, even better, could you cycle to your destination?
Cars are responsible for 19.7% of the global carbon footprint.
Reduce your food waste
About one-third of the food produced for human consumption every year (1.3 billion tonnes) gets lost or wasted,
according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.
Fruits, vegetables, roots and tubers (like potatoes) have the highest waste rates of any food.
Reducing how much you buy and subsequently how much of your food ends up in the bin would help to combat this.