Have you heard of Earth Overshoot Day? It is the point where scientists say humanity has used all the ecological resources the planet can regenerate in 12 months. It’s like trying to pay a bill before your paycheck has hit your bank account – not only does the bill not get paid but you end up with a fee from the bank, therefore losing out on some of your paycheck. This date changes year to year as humanity’s consumption rate does.
This year’s Earth Overshoot Day was predicted to be August 22nd by the Global Footprint Network (the group that calculates the annual Overshoot date) – however, the 22nd expected date has been pushed back! Some might think this is good news, but the reality of the situation is much bleaker. The pandemic has created situations that reduced the estimated consumption rate but at the cost of hundreds of thousands of lives. Additionally, despite how COVID-19 has pushed back the Overshoot date three weeks, the Global Footprint Network still estimates that humanity has exceeded the Earth’s ability to provide by 56%.
For more in depth information, check out the following website https://www.overshootday.org/about-earth-overshoot-day/
