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July 29 is Earth Overshoot Day this year. That’s when humanity has used nature’s resource budget for the entire year, according to Global Footprint Network, an international sustainability organization that has pioneered the Ecological Footprint, the most comprehensive biological resource accounting metric available.
This year, Earth Overshoot Day comes two months earlier than 20 years ago. On the 29th of July this year, it is the earliest ever. That date indicates that humanity is currently using nature 1.75 times faster than our planet’s ecosystems can regenerate. We say we’re using 1.75 Earths. Overshoot is possible because we are depleting our natural capital – which compromises the planet’s future regenerative capacity.
The costs of this global ecological overspending are becoming increasingly evident, in the form of deforestation, soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leading to climate change and more frequent extreme weather events. Those point to a one-planet misery scenario going forward.
At Global Footprint Network, however, we’re about choosing a one-planet prosperity scenario that will bring us back in balance with the Earth by design.
Earth Overshoot Day can be pushed back by 21 days
Effective solutions to #GoGreen and #MoveTheDate of Earth Overshoot Day already exist in abundance. For example, our research in partnership with Schneider Electric indicates that if 100 % of the existing building and industry infrastructure were equipped with readily available energy efficiency and renewable energy technology from Schneider Electric and its partners, assuming no shift in human habits, the date of Earth Overshoot Day could move back by at least 21 days. You can download “The Business Case for One-Planet Prosperity” and learn more to embrace one-planet prosperity strategies.
We believe it is possible to accelerate the implementation of real solutions in the real world, not only in the energy sector, but also in the four other key areas of food, cities, population, and planet.
How? By sharing knowledge of what works and by bringing people together.
We’re excited to unveil the #MoveTheDate Solutions map, developed with the support of Czech startup Mapotic: https://movethedate.overshootday.org.
How to Join the Move the Date Solutions Platform
Together with Schneider Electric, we would like to challenge you to step up and Go Greener on envisioning and actively creating a world where we live in balance with the Earth. Are you game?
The process is simple:
1. Join the community. If you fill in your location on your Mapotic profile (as general or specific as you feel comfortable with), you will be visible on the map so you can easily connect with other Date Movers.
2. Post your favorite real solutions (3! 5! 12! More!) to live in balance with our planet – maybe you have personally implemented them, or you have been inspired by them.
3. Check out who else has joined and what they’ve been sharing.
4. Invite friends! The larger the online community, the more knowledge available and the more opportunities for collaborative projects in the real world.
5. Come back often to see what’s new and who’s joined!
Go Green in the City, another Opportunity!
Also, is there a solution that you have dreamed up and haven’t had a chance to implement and test yet? Schneider Electric would love to hear from you! Enter your Bold Idea in the Go Green competition 2020 by pre-registering here. You may win international trips, job offers and great networking opportunities of a lifetime! You can also contribute to delay the Earth Overshoot Day.
Last but not least, email us at Global Footprint Network, with any question, request, or feedback you may want to share. We would love to hear from you.
We can’t wait to see you on the #MoveTheDate Solutions platform!
About the Blogger, Laetitia Mailhes and Ecological Footprint
Laetitia Mailhes has more than 20 years of experience in journalism, communications, and advocacy work. She is passionate about bringing complex, critical stories and messages to the world with a view to causing a positive impact. In her role at Global Footprint Network, she focuses on developing strategies, relationships, and content that enhance the accessibility and relevance of the organization’s findings so they can become integrated in the public debate.
The Ecological Footprint adds up all of people’s competing demands for biologically productive areas – food, timber, fibers, carbon sequestration, and accommodation of infrastructure. Currently, carbon emissions from burning fossil fuel make up 60 % of humanity’s Ecological Footprint.
You can calculate your personal Ecological Footprint by using the Footprint Calculator: www.footprintcalculator.org
About the Go Green in the City
Go Green in the City is a Global student competition of Schneider Electric. We look for bold ideas that can shape the future of our industries and our company.
Go Green in the City challenge is now entering its 9th year running and our 2019 edition is in full swing for the Finals in Barcelona in Oct 2019. 2020 Challenge is open for pre-registration at
