Earth Overshot Day

This year, 2016, Earth Overshoot Day fell on August 08.

When the entire planet is running an ecological deficit, we call it “overshoot.” At the global level, ecological deficit and overshoot are the same, since there is no net import of resources to the planet.

Overshoot occurs when: HUMANITY’S ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT > EARTH’S BIOCAPACITY

Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services (Ecological Footprint) in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year (biocapacity).

It is important to remember that the 8th August is an average value. It includes all Countries in the world, including poorer Countries with limited resources. If everyone lived like the average Australian, then we would need 5.4 planets to live sustainably.

5.4 planets, just think about that for a second.

South Korea for example, currently needs an additional 7.4 Countries worth of resources to live how they live now. The additional resources they require is imported, using up resources of other less developed Countries.

In developed Countries, we simply cannot go on living the way we do now. We all need to take responsibility for what we use. Once we become aware of the issues we cause by living our normal lives, then it falls within our power to make changes that will benefit us all.

If you would like to help reduce your ecological footprint then check out Earth Overshoot Day website for more information. We should all take responsibility for our actions, so why not take this opportunity and take your pledge for the planet.

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Watch below as the previous Earth overshoot days tick slowly down;

Monday, August 08, 2016
Sunday, August 09, 2015
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Monday, August 24, 2009
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Monday, August 29, 2005
Sunday, September 05, 2004
Saturday, September 13, 2003
Sunday, September 22, 2002
Wednesday, September 26, 2001
Monday, September 25, 2000
Saturday, October 02, 1999
Saturday, October 03, 1998
Thursday, October 02, 1997
Friday, October 04, 1996
Saturday, October 07, 1995
Thursday, October 13, 1994
Friday, October 15, 1993
Wednesday, October 14, 1992
Saturday, October 12, 1991
Saturday, October 13, 1990
Friday, October 13, 1989
Sunday, October 16, 1988
Sunday, October 25, 1987
Saturday, November 01, 1986
Wednesday, November 06, 1985
Friday, November 09, 1984
Wednesday, November 16, 1983
Wednesday, November 17, 1982
Friday, November 13, 1981
Wednesday, November 05, 1980
Wednesday, October 31, 1979
Thursday, November 09, 1978
Sunday, November 13, 1977
Friday, November 19, 1976
Wednesday, December 03, 1975
Sunday, December 01, 1974
Thursday, November 29, 1973
Wednesday, December 13, 1972
Friday, December 24, 1971

#pledgefortheplanet #overshoot