Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. We maintain this deficit by liquidating stocks of ecological resources and accumulating waste.
Earth Overshoot Day is computed by dividing the planet’s bio capacity (the amount of ecological resources Earth is able to generate that year), by humanity’s Ecological Footprint (humanity’s demand for that year), and multiplying by 365, the number of days in a year.
Not all countries will have an overshoot day. A country will only have an overshoot day if its Ecological Footprint per person is greater than global biocapacity per person.
Today, more than 80% of the world’s population lives in countries that are running ecological deficits, using more resources than what their ecosystems can regenerate.
A country’s overshoot day is the date on which Earth Overshoot Day would fall if all of humanity consumed like the people in this country. Countries’ overshoot dates are calculated with Global Footprint Network’s National Footprint and Biocapacity Accounts, which are updated annually.
The earlier companies, cities, and countries plan ahead and prepare themselves for the predictable future, the better their chance of thriving. There is immense power of possibility in the many existing solutions that are ready to be deployed at scale. With them, we can make ourselves more resilient and #MoveTheDate of Earth Overshoot Day.
The solutions are already there, a combined effort by institutions, companies and individuals is needed to live in harmony with our wonderful planet, it is possible, let’s do it!
Say Yes to Life, Earth Thanks!
